Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation honored the recipients of JREDC’s two annual awards during the
organization’s investor appreciation event held at Proud Richard’s Restaurant
in Jacksonville on Oct. 10.
Turner Scientific was recognized as the 2023 Harold Cox Industry of the Year, in recognition of its inspiring evolution and continued growth.
The Jacksonville-based company is a leading
innovator in hearing research and ethical animal treatment serving
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations and
academia. Turner Scientific Environmental Monitoring Services tracks variables
and animal environments to maintain the best possible conditions to improve
animal welfare and produce more reliable and reproducible research results. A
second division, Turner Scientific Preclinical Research, partners with biotech,
pharma and academic sponsors to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs and
devices to treat hearing and balance disorders.
Since
its founding in 2017, Turner Scientific has grown steadily and, over the last three
years, has doubled in size. The company has developed a revolutionary new
scientific device that is significantly impacting the biomedical research field
and is the only U.S.-based firm specializing in contracted hearing
research.
Turner
Scientific began as a “mom-and-pop” shop that has ballooned to over 30
employees. Founders Jeremy Turner, Annette Turner and Brian Chumley are proud
of the family-like atmosphere their business maintains with a superb team of
experts from around the world, combined with a dedicated staff from the region. The company
continues to grow its footprint as it is making plans to move to a new and
larger location in Jacksonville.
JREDC presented a Jacksonville couple with the Champion Award.
The award was created to recognize exemplary support for economic development
in Morgan and Scott counties from an entity that does not have economic
development as its primary purpose. In honor of the late Robert “Bob” Chipman,
whose unwavering commitment and exceptional dedication set the gold standard
for community support, the JREDC proudly presented the Champion Award in Bob’s
name for the first time to Rabbi Rob and Lauren Thomas.
To
ensure a diverse and resilient economy, the Thomases encourage
entrepreneurs to choose Jacksonville to develop businesses. The couple stress
the importance of building foundations so young business owners can forge a
life and career while remaining in the Jacksonville region.
Rabbi
Rob, a Jacksonville native, and Lauren, originally from Chicago, purchased a
home to spend more time in the area after a family health scare. After
witnessing Lauren’s love of Jacksonville, Rabbi Rob was eager to begin work to
move his hometown forward. During initial conversations with business leaders,
the couple learned it was difficult to attract young professionals to the area,
with a lack of housing being a major stumbling block. At the same time, they
noticed the upper floors of many downtown buildings were unoccupied. They
recognized that if the buildings were renovated into apartments for young
professionals, the new living spaces would energize the economy.
Related
Rabbi Rob returns to Jacksonville
Now, more than a year later, these projects are underway due to the Thomas’ business
acumen. Restaurant, retail and entertainment spaces are being developed on the
bottom floors of newly acquired buildings, while creating quality apartments on
the upper floors. The couple also recognized that young professionals may one
day want to move into their own homes. To address another need in the community,
Rabbi Rob and Lauren are working on two projects to renovate existing
structures or begin new construction for family homes in Jacksonville.
In
addition, the Thomases anticipate young professionals will acknowledge gaps in
the current market and have ideas regarding how to address those needs. Rabbi
Rob and Lauren have initiated a venture capital fund to foster startups in
Jacksonville. They will help guide these new business owners through the
process of starting and scaling a business, thereby contributing to the
continued growth and diversity of Jacksonville’s regional economy.
Also
during the event, Kristin Jamison, president of JREDC, outlined the
organization’s launch and successful completion of a recent talent attraction
campaign. The goal of the program was to bring top-tier talent to the
Jacksonville region. Built on a multi-faceted approach, the JREDC produced
videos to showcase living and working in the Jacksonville region. The visual
stories, paired with digital advertising across Facebook, Instagram and
LinkedIn, captured the attention of skilled professionals nationwide. The
“MakeMyMove” relocation and incentive strategy played a pivotal role in
enticing talent to consider the Jacksonville region as their new home.
Through this campaign, the JREDC offered comprehensive incentive packages valued at
$9,300 to five individuals, all of whom accepted. These packages included
$5,000 in cash to relocate to Morgan or Scott counties, $300 in local Chamber
Checks and a $4,000 quality of life package to offer the new residents a
personalized welcome to the region including gym memberships, golf passes and
entertainment options.
Related
Motivation to move
JREDC Chair Kai Schnitker thanked the organization’s staff, Bonni Waters and
Jamison, for their dedication and passion for the Jacksonville region. He also acknowledged
the many JREDC investors in attendance, thanking them for their commitment and
financial support.
The
mission of JREDC is to create, expand, recruit and retain job opportunities for
Morgan and Scott counties. The investor-based group traces its beginnings to
1964 when the Jacksonville Area Industrial Corporation was formed with the
objective of creating jobs by acquiring new industries and assisting the growth
of existing industries.
This article appears in Real Estate Review Fall 2024.