Federal agents execute search warrant at JinkoSolar plant in Jacksonville

The city of Jacksonville is set to put a hold on possible tax incentives for expansion of a JinkoSolar plant at Cecil Commerce Center after federal agents executed a search warrant Monday at the plant that opened in 2018.

Federal authorities did not detail the reason for the search warrant by Homeland Security Investigations, which is the main investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"That's part of an ongoing federal investigation," said HSI spokesman Mike Meares.

More on JinkoSolar:What you should know about JinkoSolar, which makes solar panels in Jacksonville

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An item on City Council's agenda for its Tuesday evening meeting was legislation for future property tax rebates tied to JinkoSolar's planned expansion of the plant on the Westside.

Brian Hughes, chief administrative officer for the city, said the administration would ask council to not vote during the meeting on the economic development agreement.

"We have no additional information beyond what has been reported about authorities searching the facility," Hughes said Tuesday morning. "Due to the lack of information, we will ask that the pending legislation not move forward this evening."

City Council President Terrance Freeman said he agrees with that approach.

City Council member Nick Howland also said he supports taking a step back in light of the federal investigation.

"There's no reason not to defer until we know more," Howland said.

The JinkoSolar plant at Cecil Commerce Center on the Westside employs 274 workers. JinkoSolar plans a $52 million expansion that would create another 250 full-time jobs, according to the summary of a bill (2023-276) that was due to come up for a vote by City Council.

The incentives would be for up to $2.3 million in property tax rebates over a 10-year period based on the expansion causing increased property tax value for the plant. Those annual rebates, called the REV grant program, are not paid upfront but only are provided after the actual additional property tax value comes online.

The Finance Committee voted 7-0 last week in favor of the bill.

JinkoSolar Holding Co., based in China, is a global solar manufacturing operation. The plant in Jacksonville ushered in its manufacturing in the United States.

HSI's mission is to investigate "transnational crimes and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance moves."

JinkoSolar officials in Jacksonville and in its San Francisco office could not be reached for comment about the federal investigation.