JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council introduced a new bill Tuesday night that would change the city’s economic incentive policy by pushing companies to hire more veterans and active-duty military spouses.
The proposal, Ordinance 2026-574, is titled the “Stand for Service Act.” It’s being brought forward by City Council Pres. Nick Howland.
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Under the ordinance, companies receiving a Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) Grant incentive would be required to make a “good faith effort” to hire qualified veterans and/or active-duty military spouses for a minimum of 10% of new jobs created, according to the bill.
Howland said the idea is to connect city-backed job growth with Jacksonville’s large military and veteran community.
“We’re a city of about a million and growing and we have over 100 000 veterans here,” Howland said. “So 10% of our workforce should be veterans ... Veterans earn more than non-veterans. Veterans volunteer more than non-veterans and veterans vote more than non-veterans. So if we can grow and better our workforce, we’re growing a community contingent that gives back to the city of Jacksonville.”
Howland described the 10% threshold as a target rather than a strict quota. He said it is meant to be “aspirational,” adding that falling short could affect whether a company receives incentives in the future.
The ordinance also includes a separate economic development provision involving Cecil Airport. The bill updates the city’s policy to acknowledge Cecil Airport as a primary engine for economic and workforce development and says projects benefiting Cecil Airport should receive additional positive consideration when the city evaluates potential public investments.
Howland also defended the bill when asked how it fits into broader debates about hiring practices or DEI, arguing the policy is focused on veterans and military families.
“Veterans are the best candidates,” he said. “They are not DEI hires. Veterans have written blank checks up to and including their lives for our nation, the least we can do is make sure that they have a productive and enjoyable post-service life.”
The bill was introduced Tuesday and will now move through the standard committee and review process before it comes back to the full City Council for a vote.