Trip throughout the world starts here

The area is home to national companies making products that are in almost every household in the country –  two of the town’s largst employers among them: Hefty bags and other products by Reynolds Consumer Products, and Coffee-mate coffee creamer by Nestlé USA.

Other manufacturing operations come in all sizes and many of them are locally owned. Celanese in nearby Meredosia makes starch products supplying a variety of firms; Brahler Trucking produces tires for truckers; and the town’s two binderies, Bound to Stay Bound Books and Perma-Bound, provide books and services for the educational market.

Eli Bridge Co., which was founded in 1906, produces ferris wheels and other amusement rides and provides Jacksonville with its signature image. 

One of the firm’s Big Eli wheels graces the gateway to the town at Community Park. 

It is still in operation by the Jacksonville Rotary Club during warm weather.