JAXUSA State of the Region Features St. Johns County Update 2026

• 6 March 2026
• Category: SJC News Economic Development
• Tags: 2026

Christine Valliere, St John County’s Economic Development Director, was a featured presenter at the event.

On February 13, 2026, Christine Valliere, St John County’s Economic Development Director, was a featured presenter at the JAXUSA State of the Region event.

“St. Johns County continues to grow as one of the most dynamic economies in Northeast Florida,” said Valliere. Our focus remains solid — expanding business opportunity, developing local talent, fostering affordable and workforce housing opportunities, and investing in infrastructure that strengthens long-term competitiveness.

She shared the following comments, which are aligned with the four goals of JAXUSA’S Strategic Plan:

Goal 1: Business Growth

Targeted incentives continue to attract high-wage jobs and major private investment in two key sectors — industrial growth and healthcare.

Industrial expansion is driving our tax base upward.

Recent highlights include:

• The Foundry Logistics Park and Legend Point Logistics Crossing together adding 1 million square feet of modern industrial capacity.
• KeHE organic food distributors opened a 530,000-square-foot facility valued at $88.5 million, retaining 345 jobs and adding 100 new ones.
• And at the St. Augustine Airport, a Florida Jobs Growth grant for infrastructure improvements is fueling the development of a 440,000-square-foot aviation and aerospace complex — expected to generate over 3,500 jobs and $1.3 billion in economic impact.
• In healthcare, St. Johns County is experiencing record expansion:
• UF Health’s new Durbin Park Campus will bring a full-service hospital and 2,000 new jobs.
• Acadia Healthcare is building a behavioral health facility adding 239 high-wage jobs.
• TyMe Institute, will open a 30,000 sq. cancer prevention clinic later this spring in The Fountains at St. Johns.
• AdventHealth, Baptist Health, HCA and Ascension/St. Vincent are each investing millions in new facilities and expansions across the county.
• The Publix Central Fill project will also open later this spring with an initial 115 new jobs. At full capacity, this project will provide a total of 450 jobs and distribute 1 million pre-packaged prescriptions daily to Publix pharmacies throughout their multi-state service area.

Goal 2: Talent Development

Growing jobs requires growing talent.

Our $21 million regional workforce development campus in Hastings—built with partners from the School District, FCTC, the Chamber, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration—will anchor our future workforce strategy. Construction is anticipated to begin this year with 550 high-wage job commitments already secured for graduates.

We’re also aligning education with healthcare workforce needs:

• Career academies like Beachside High School’s Biomedical Program have doubled enrollment.
• First Coast Technical College and St. Johns River State College continue to add new healthcare training and degree programs.
• Flagler College and the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences are expanding degree offerings and facilities for fast-growing health science programs.

And on April 8th, the County will host a Healthcare Career Expo at FCTC, connecting students and residents directly with employers.

Goal 3: Quality of Place

Affordable and workforce housing remains essential to our economy.

The County now offers impact fee waivers for qualifying affordable housing development and invested nearly $3 million last year through the SHIP program for home rehabilitation and down payment assistance.

Nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and Ability Housing, along with private builders such as DR Horton, Mattamy Homes, KB Homes and Holiday Builders are expanding attainable housing opportunities for teachers, first responders, and working families priced in the mid-$200,000 range.

Notably, Habitat for Humanity broadened their income eligibility to include up to 120% of AMI.  For example, a single person earning up to $86,160 annually is eligible for their program.

Goal 4: Infrastructure Networks

Lastly, we’re pairing record infrastructure investment with strategic growth planning.

In 2025, the County completed 61 capital projects with another 59 underway in 2026—over $820 million invested in roads, public safety, parks, and coastal resiliency.

Improvements to CR 2209, SR 16, and the First Coast Expressway, which is estimated to be completed in 2030, are unlocking new development areas and reducing travel times for residents and employers alike.

“St. Johns County remains open for business. By aligning business growth, workforce development, housing policy, and infrastructure investment—and by working regionally with JAXUSA and our economic partners—we’re building a stronger, more resilient economy for our community and for Northeast Florida,” said Valliere.