| Recently Assisted
Expansions/Relocations |
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| OVERVIEW |
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| While the headlines have been full of gloom and doom scenarios
about the economy, a host of diverse businesses providing
higher-than-average-wage jobs has been quietly expanding in Manatee County.
Most serve global markets and either create or use technology, thus demanding
the knowledge workers who tend to command a higher wage. Their diversity of
industries and markets bodes well for Manatee County’s long-term economic
future. See sampling of companies below. |
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| Companies on the Move
- 2008 |
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| Orbeco-Hellige |
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| www.orbeco.com |
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| A Long Island manufacturer of instruments for testing water and
wastewater is relocating to Manatee County.
The EDC assisted Orbeco-Hellige Inc. with its plans to relocate from
New York and hire at least eight employees locally at a 15,000-square-foot
facility the company purchased in Parkland Center. Orbeco-Hellige is relocating to Florida
primarily to reduce expenses on facilities and taxes, said President Brad
Martell, who already lives in Bradenton. Martell plans to begin operations at
the Manatee County facility this fall. |
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| Neostyle |
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| www.neostyleusa.com |
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| Neostyle, one of the world’s best known high-end eyeglass frame
designer/manufacturers, has quietly moved its U.S. distribution headquarters
to downtown Bradenton where the company is launching direct-to-market
distribution for the first time in more than 30 years. The eyeglass designer
responsible for Elvis Presley’s iconic gold sunglasses, whose frames are worn
by Oprah Winfrey, the Queen of England and Elizabeth Taylor, previously used
a distributor in California for its U.S. operation, said Bob Lawson,
president of Neostyle USA. Neostyle USA moved into 1,000 sq. ft. in the Bank
of America building in downtown Bradenton in July 2007. The company, which
makes its products in Italy and Germany, had worldwide sales of $40-million
in 2007. Neostyle is a 48-year-old,
German company that is known for hand-crafted designs and precision
manufacturing. The company’s target market ranges from a boutique on St.
Armand’s Circle to the optical departments in Macy’s department stores.
Neostyle frames range in price from $200 to $600 (retail) for models shown in
the company’s online catalog at www.neostyle.de. The company also offers
custom designs using luxury materials like gold, platinum and diamonds. |
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| Companies on the Move
- 2007 |
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| Gyrocam Systems |
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| www.gyrocamsystems.com |
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| Gyrocam Systems which designs and manufactures precision
gyrostabilized camera systems for law enforcement, security and military
applications, expanded into a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and
has created 20-30 new jobs. The company’s revenues have grown from $5 million
to $230 million in the past 18 months, and Gyrocam is on the verge of closing
a new defense contract valued at $300 million. The company’s camera systems,
originally designed to be deployed on aircraft, are in high demand in Iraq
and Afghanistan where they are mounted on masts on top of military vehicles.
The cameras can identify up to 70% of roadside bombs (IEDs) and other
potential hazards in advance of a vehicle’s progress. Gyrocam has 104
employees at a facility near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in
Manatee County. |
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| Beacon Products Inc. |
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| www.beaconproducts.com |
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| Beacon Productions, Inc. which moved into a new 50,000-sq.-ft.
facility in Manatee County in late 2007, designs and manufactures
environmentally friendly LED lighting, which company President Michael
Imparato expects to boost revenues by 50 percent in the next two years.
Beacon is working with developers and municipalities to use LED for new
installations and retrofit higher wattage, less efficient lights. The
environmental benefit of moving to LED lighting sources could be significant.
According to Imparato, a recent proposal submitted by the company to the City
of Aspen estimates Beacon’s LED product could reduce carbon emissions in the
city by 3.5 million pounds. Beacon’s technology innovation: designing special
optical components that beam a reflection of the LED’s lamps, rather than the
lamps being exposed to the eye. The patented system reduces glare and is
better for night vision. |
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| Pierce
Manufacturing |
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| www.piercemfg.com |
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| Pierce Manufacturing, Bradenton Division will continue to expand
its production of Medtec ambulances with the addition of the All Duty Type I
vehicles. Pierce, Bradenton currently
builds all of the Medtec brand Type II ambulances which are based on the Ford
E-350 Van chassis. The All Duty Type I
ambulances are the largest and most complex ambulances and are typically
built on a medium duty International, Freightliner or GMC chassis. The move of this product to Florida opens
capacity for the Goshen, IN based Medtec facility to expand its current
production rate and support new product offerings. This product line as well
as the Type II line and other organic growth will result in a net increase of
approximately 140 new jobs in the Bradenton area over the next two years.
Medtec Corporation and Pierce Manufacturing are wholly owned subsidiaries of
Oshkosh Truck Corporation. In addition
to the approximate 140 new jobs, Pierce will be investing up to $1.2 million
in equipment, tooling, and facility retrofitting. |
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| The Elite Group (Arrow
Fence) |
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| www.nationsfence.com |
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| The Elite Group
(Arrow Fence) expanded into a 106,000
sq. ft. building, resulting in 50 new
jobs. |
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| Companies on the Move
- 2006 |
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| Eastern Portland
Cement |
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| Eastern Portland Cement, a leader in storage and distribution of
cement and aggregate expanded its facility at Port Manatee. The expansion
includes a new aggregate terminal, two cement silos, a ship un-loader and a
bagging facility. The aggregate portion is350,000 square feet and the cement
portion of the new facility is 28,000 square feet. The 378,000 square foot
facility has an estimated capital investment of $28,000,000. Twenty-three new jobs will be created when
the facility is complete. This is a Rapid Response Team project. |
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| C & H Baseball |
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| www.chbaseball.com |
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| In 1968, C & H Welding & Metals was contracted to
manufacture the first aluminum portable batting cage based on a design from
the hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. For 38 years, C & H
Baseball has adapted, modified, manufactured and distributed portable batting
cages and aluminum field equipment throughout the country. In 1992, C & H
Welding became C & H Baseball.
They have become the industry leader in new stadium construction
netting and field equipment and are known in the industry for being a
one-stop-shop for supplying and installing field wall padding, windscreen,
barrier nets, batting tunnels and artificial turf. Due to increased business
C& H Baseball is in the process of expanding. They are having a 16,000
square foot facility built in Lakewood Ranch. The estimated capital
investment is $1,500,000. This expansion will create three new jobs and is a
Rapid Response Program project. |
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| Beall's Inc. |
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| www.beallsinc.com |
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| Beall’s, Inc. announced in 2006 the acquisition from Tropicana
of the four-story, 149,000 sq. ft. Rossi Office Building. Due to its expansion over the past several
years, Beall’s outgrew its current office facility and had been exploring a
number of options. “We are indeed fortunate that a facility of this caliber,
within such close proximity to our current headquarters, was available. This
acquisition will enable us to meet our office growth needs for many years to
come,” said Steve Knopik, CEO, Beall’s, Inc. The office building, which was
constructed in 2002, will house the corporate operations for Beall's Outlet
Stores, Inc., as well as several divisions of its parent company Beall’s,
Inc. The Company plans to fully occupy
the building by the end of 2007. Beall’s officials have renamed the building
the E. R. Beall Center, as a tribute to the founder’s son, who was
responsible for the Company’s tremendous success and growth during the
1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. Beall's,
Inc. is the parent company of Beall's Department Stores, Inc., Beall's Outlet
Stores, Inc., and Burke's Outlet Stores, Inc.
The corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates over 560 retail
stores in states across the “sun belt”, from Florida to California with
annual sales of over $1 billion. This expansion will help create 140 new jobs.
This is a Rapid Response Team project. |
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| Green WSI Terminal, LLC |
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| www.greenreefers.com |
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| Greeen WSI Terminal, LLC, AKA Green Reefers (Refrigeration), a
specialist logistics provider for chilled and frozen products, operates 24
hours a day, seven days a week. They offer door-to-door service of their
clients’ products by using ocean transport, terminal handling/storage, as
well as inland transport and distribution. They handle almost any type of
cargo - from citrus fruit and frozen fish, to oversized equipment and
agricultural machinery. Theirspecialized reeferoperation has been developed
to handle the smallest parcels, as well as the larger volumes. Due to increased business, they expanded
their facility at Port Manatee. Their
building a 362,000 square foot refrigerated warehouse with an
estimated capital investment of $20,000,000.
This expansion is expected to create six new jobs and is a Rapid
Response Team project. |
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| Tropicana Products |
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| www.tropicana.com |
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| Tropicana Products, Inc., a division of PepsiCo, Inc., is adding
a new 28,000 sq. ft. high-speed production line, which is the centerpiece of
operations for the nation’s leading not-from-concentrate chilled orange juice
maker. This new manufacturing facility has an estimated capital investment of
$38,000,000. Tropicana is North
America’s largest juice manufacturer and has earned more than a 40 percent
share of the orange juice market with its leading Tropicana Pure Premium
brand. The additional production line
will increase capability to support Tropicana’s growth and roll out of
Tropicana Pure, a new line of 100 percent fruit juice blends, the company
launched in August. Tropicana is the first leading brand to enter the super
premium juice category, one of the fastest growing categories in the produce
section. “These facility developments
will better equip us to meet the growing demand for our premium juices moving
forward,” said Mike Haycock, vice president of operations, Tropicana
Products, Inc. “As we get closer to
completing the new line, we will be better able to determine if and exactly
how many new jobs will be created,” said Haycock. The new line will be
located on Tropicana’s existing 280-acre plus campus. “We’re delighted Tropicana remains
committed to expanding their presence here in Bradenton and Manatee County,”
said Gwen Brown, Manatee County Commissioner. Tropicana Products, Inc. is the
community’s second largest private employer with approximately 1,600
employees. This is a Rapid Response Team project. |
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| MadahCom, Inc. |
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| www.madah.com |
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| MadahCom, Inc., a manufacturer of digital wireless public
warning and mass notification systems, held an open house at their new 19,000
sq. ft. Manatee County facility in October 2005. The company has grown by an average of 100%
a year since 2002. In 2004, the
privately held company generated more than $7 million in revenue, up from
$3.5 million in 2003, and expects to top $15 million in revenue in 2005. The company, which was launched in 1994
with three people in New York and Israel, has more than 150 installations of
its WAVES (Wireless Audio Visual Emergency System) systems. WAVES provides anti-terrorism protection
for U.S. troops in the Middle East and other locations around the world. It is used in war zones to initiate
localized warnings to areas within the predicted insurgent attack area. This warning enables troops in the hazard
area to immediately seek shelter, minimizing casualties. For the U.S. Army, MadahCom specifically
created its portable product called TACWAVES (Tactical Wireless Audio Visual
Emergency System), which helps save soldiers lives in the Middle East by
warning them within seconds prior to insurgent attacks. In Iraq, the military uses TACWAVES and
WAVES for anti-terrorism force protection.
Reuben Ben-Aire, an Armenian native who served 22 years in the Israeli
Air Force, is the President and CEO of MadahCom. He joined the company in 2001. In June 2002, MadahCom closed its offices
in Israel and New York and consolidated operations in Sarasota, mainly
because Ben-Aire had a winter home in the area. “After 9/11, the understanding of the risk
of terrorism had suddenly sunk in. Add
to that the fact that we went to war with Iraq and suddenly it opened new
territories that were not there,” says Ben-Aire. Business continued to grow, and in 2004,
the company began the process of looking for a larger facility. The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota
County worked with the Economic Development Council/Manatee Chamber of
Commerce to find a new home for MadahCom in south Manatee County, where they
have a staff of approximately 70 people.
The next step for the company is to penetrate more of the non-military
market. Said Ben-Aire, “The need for
our system is everywhere. Everywhere
where there are people that need to be managed in case of an emergency.” |
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| Jupiter
Marine International, Inc. |
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| www.jupitermarine.com |
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| In late 2005, Jupiter Marine International, Inc., a powerboat
manufacturing company from Fort Lauderdale, announced their intention to
expand operations in Palmetto, Florida.
The company’s initial investment of $1.5 million in a 54,000 s.f.
facility in North Manatee County will bring approximately 75 jobs over a
period of 12 months. The Economic
Development Council received a marketing reply card, that was placed in
targeted tourist magazines, from company president, Carl Herndon requesting
information on relocating a business, in May, 2004. The niche manufacturer of center console
models varying in size from 27’ to 38’ with price tags ranging from $98,000
to $210,000 was looking at sites in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Through the cooperative efforts of the
Palmetto CRA, the City of Palmetto, and the EDC, the company decision makers
chose a site off U.S. 301 near Haben Blvd.
“We had no strong feelings about exactly where we wanted to be, but in
doing our research, we found out the City of Palmetto is very growth- and
business-oriented,” Herndon said.
“That meant a lot.” Jupiter
commenced operations at the Palmetto facility in April 2006. The company is now manufacturing its new
29’ Forward Seating Center Console model and the 31’ Open and Cuddy Cabin
models in Palmetto. Other models will
remain in production at the Fort Lauderdale facility. Mr. Herndon stated, “One of our primary
goals over the past three years has been to increase our production
capability to accommodate higher volume.
We are currently operating at near-full capacity at our Fort
Lauderdale facilities, and we expect that the company’s expansion to Palmetto
could potentially double the number of boats we manufacture. In addition, Jupiter now has manufacturing
facilities strategically placed on both coasts of Florida. We feel that the Palmetto facility will
greatly enhance our position in a highly competitive marketplace, and be
instrumental to the Company’s growth in the coming years.” With over 35 years of boat building
experience, the Jupiter team is committed to building the finest, most
technologically advanced offshore sport fishing boats available today. Every Jupiter boat is individually built to
the exact specifications of the sportsman who demands the very best in
offshore performance, style and reliability. |
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| Invisa |
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| www.invisa.com |
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| In March, 2005, the Economic Development Council announced that
Invisa, Inc., an industry leader in innovative presence sensing solutions for
safety and security applications, relocated to Manatee County. Stephen Michael, Acting President of Invisa
stated, “The EDC and the Rapid Response Permitting Team helped us to meet our
critical timelines for the move into our new 5500 square foot space at
Airport Business Center.” “In addition
to finding a facility suitable for our build-out and timeline, we are
especially pleased with the ‘central’ location,” said Edward King, Chief
Financial Officer. “Airport Business Center is well located considering that
our employees commute from as far north as Palm Harbor in Pinellas County,
from the west on Bradenton Beach, Manatee County east of I-75, as well as
Sarasota County.” Established in 1998,
Invisa has ten employees and plans to grow as its patented safety and
security solutions gain momentum.
InvisaShield™ enabled devices create an invisible zone of detection at
the leading edges of powered closures (such as gates and garage doors),
making them safer. A zone of detection
around monitored objects (such as museum exhibits and displays) makes them
more secure. “There are some very
exciting applications we’re working on. We’ve really just begun exploring the
potential of this technology,” said Carl Parks, Invisa’s VP of Operations. |
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| Haemacure
Corporation |
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| www.haemacurecorp.com |
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| The Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund and a strong working
relationship with the EDC Sarasota County led to a decision by Haemacure
Corporation officials to locate their manufacturing facility, U.S. offices and R&D labs on Tallevast Road
in Manatee County. This location will eventually function as the company’s
worldwide headquarters. Specializing
in the development of innovative biological adhesives, biomaterials, and surgical
devices, Haemacure’s expansion will create 51 new high-value jobs at an
average annual wage of $65,000 and make initial capital investments totaling
more than $10.8 million in facility renovation and manufacturing equipment. Haemacure President and CEO, Marc Paquin,
states, “After considering Canada, North Carolina and Virginia, we came to
the conclusion that Manatee County offered the infrastructure, and more
importantly, support from local and state officials that will play a vital
role in our success.” He continues, “Receiving the QTI incentive from the
state was another key factor in our decision.” In addition to the QTI, Haemacure qualified
for Rapid Response Permitting assistance, a county program that assists
value-added companies in meeting their critical timelines. The facility will be located in a building
adjacent to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The building is approximately 50,000 square
feet, of which 40,000 square feet will be used for production, including a
7,000 square foot modular clean room, mechanical rooms, storage and shipping,
and the balance for offices and laboratories.
Over the next few years, the cost of operating Haemacure is estimated
at $25 million. Approximately $10 million is related to facility design,
construction and the purchase and validation of manufacturing equipment. The
cost of producing clinical material, including plasma, supplies and all other
consumables, and of commissioning the facility, is projected at $1.4
million. The cost of clinical trials
is projected at $3.2 million. The
remaining $10.4 million will be required for operations. The facility will
have a capacity to process 75,000 liters of plasma per year, with a potential
of generating up to $200 million in revenues annually. |
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| GE
Security |
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| www.gesecurity.com |
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| The relocation of GE Security’s world headquarters from Austin,
TX to Manatee County was a huge accomplishment for the EDC in 2005. In March 2005, GE Security purchased
Edwards Systems Technology, a fire detection systems business with an
operation in Manatee County. GE’s
Security headquarters now occupies the former Edwards Systems Technology
building located in Lakewood Ranch. GE Security’s robust product offering is
designed to help protect people, assets and communities. The company has
operations in more than 35 countries and is represented by some of the
best-known brand names for intrusion and fire detection, access and building
control, video surveillance, explosives and drug detection, key management
and structured wiring. A subsidiary of
General Electric, with operations in more than 35 countries, GE Security’s
new location in Bradenton has resulted in the creation of 70 high-wage jobs
in addition to the 150 employees currently at their newly acquired business
unit, Edwards Systems Technology. The
initial capital investment is over $6 million in equipment, relocation and
worker recruitment. According to a
relocation impact analysis of this project, the gross county product is
estimated to be $9.8 million. In
addition to the QTI program (20% of which comes from County funds) and the
Closing Fund, Manatee County added a $140,000 QTI Bonus incentive contingent
on the approval of the Closing Fund. |
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| Beall’s Inc |
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| www.beallsinc.com |
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| Beall’s Inc., founded and headquartered in Manatee County, has
been in a growth mode with over 375 retail stores across the Sunbelt from
Florida to California. To improve
efficiency and accommodate their continued growth, Beall’s needed to
consolidate their distribution centers. Timing was critical for these
projects, so the Rapid Response Permitting Team was put into action for the
new $25 million, 150,000 square foot automated distribution center. |
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| Lake
Erie College of Medicine |
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| www.my.lecom.edu/bradenton |
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| Lake Erie College of Medicine has announced that they will build
a 15-acre branch campus of their Pennsylvania osteopathic college. Planned for a September 2004 opening, the
95,000 square foot facility will have at least 80 employees and a capital
investment of $20 million. The college is expected to generate a multimillion
annual economic impact on the area. This is only the second osteopathic
training facility in Florida. |
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| SYSCO
Food Services-West Coast Florida |
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| www.sysco.com |
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| After an extensive site search process for a location for their
new West Coast of Florida Operating Center, SYSCO Food Services chose a
location in the Gulf Coast Corporate Park in north Manatee County with the
understanding that they must be in their 200,000square foot food distribution
center in less than nine months. The
Rapid Response Permitting Team went to work and was able to issue approvals
for site plans, constructions plans, and construction permits in 47 days. The
company moved in on time and has followed up with two more expansions. They
also received two Quick Response Training grants, one for the initial
expansion in the amount of approximately $500,000 and a second one for nearly
$125,000. |
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| Edwards
Systems Technology |
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| Edwards Systems Technology, a world leader in innovative fire
alarm and life safety systems solutions for commercial and industrial
applications, has announced plans to relocate the corporate offices in
Manatee County to a new, two-story 109,000 sq. ft. building in Lakewood
Ranch. The Manatee County office is the center for all of their product
research and design functions including engineering, testing, technical
support, and documentation, as well as being home to their marketing and
training centers. Edwards Systems currently employs 170 in Manatee
County. (Purchased by GE Security in
2005) |
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| Chris-Craft |
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| www.chriscraftboats.com |
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| When Chris-Craft decided that they would begin manufacturing
high-end classic, yachts for worldwide distribution, they hired a consulting
company to help make the decision on where to locate. After looking at other sites in the
southeast, they decided on expanding their facility in Manatee County. To
assist with this expansion, the EDC helped Chris-Craft obtain a $600,000 QTI
(Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund) through Enterprise Florida to be paid
out over four years. This project will result in $13 million in capital
investment and 200 total jobs. |
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