Information tech firm to add 300 jobs in Jacksonville | Jax Daily Record

Synergy Technologies LLC, which was code-named project Skateboard, will add 300 jobs to its Jacksonville operation, according to an Aug. 4 JAXUSA Partnership news release.

The Coral Springs-based global professional services firm opened its 70-seat Offsite Development Center in March 2019 in the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Jacksonville Branch building Downtown at 800 Water St.

Synergy Chief Strategy Officer James Higbe said in an interview Aug. 4 that another 70-seat office space in the building is part of the expansion but details are not final. Founded in 2006, Synergy designs and develops software for the health care, transportation and financial services companies.

State officials and Jacksonville City Council approved a combined $1.8 million in incentives for Synergy from Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program.

“We’re excited to grow here in my hometown and be a part of the technology and innovation boom taking off here,” Higbe said in the release. “Jacksonville is becoming a hotbed for tech talent and this is the right place for us to invest.”

Synergy agreed to retain 100 jobs in Jacksonville and expand its local workforce by 300 jobs at an average annual salary of $74,300, according to the development agreement approved May 26 by Council.

The company said it will invest $1.4 million in building renovations and equipment in a “to be determined location,” according to the agreement.

Synergy’s QTI rebate will be $1.8 million, or $6,000 per job, after the jobs are created and the taxes paid.

The state would rebate $4,800 per job, up to $1.44 million total, to be repaid over six years starting in 2021.

The city would refund up to $360,000, or $1,200 per job.

Synergy launched Project Wingman in June providing people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 with videoconferencing tips, interviewing advice and resume preparation skills, according to the release.

“Synergy works with clients across the globe and is one of those companies (that) can really work from anywhere. They chose to invest right here in Jacksonville and that’s a big win for our city,” JAXUSA Partnership President Aundra Wallace said. “Synergy is part of the innovative culture and ecosystem we’re building here and their work on Project Wingman is proof they are working to improve the entire community.”

Higbe said the company considered Birmingham, Alabama, and Charleston, South Carolina, for the expansion but selected Jacksonville.

“This announcement will build on the successes we’ve seen over the past few years, adding to our strong IT workforce with 300 new high-wage jobs,” Mayor Lenny Curry said in the news release.