Addressing the Board of County Commissioners at the Aug. 9, 2016 meeting, Economic Development Manager Valerie Pianta stated that while the Office of Economic Development is always recruiting new businesses, their top priority is serving the needs of the businesses already in the county. She discussed job creation incentive agreements for companies increasing their workforce. For each new full time employee, the County pays a one-time incentive of $3,000 to the company when the County receives documentation of the jobs and wages.
Alumi-Guard,a division of Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc., began operations in Hernando County in 2006. The company plans to lease three more acres to add parking for the 60 new employees they will hire in the next year, bringing the total jobs to 247 by July 2017. This will translate to a total of $180,000 in incentives to be paid over five years. The county amended the existing job creation agreement with the company. The maximum cost for this amendment is $387,000 paid over five (5) years (FY2017-2021).
Surge Supression, Inc. (SSI) will be adding 10 new jobs in the next year, receiving $3,000 for each confirmed new employee, paid over five years. The current facility covers approximately 5,000 square feet. SSI plans to lease three acres to expand their manufacturing space an additional 11,400 square feet. The company will take advantage of the County’s permit/impact fee mitigation, which will save the company nearly $18,000 over seven years.
Premier Pharmacy Labs, Inc. will remain in Hernando County, but will move from Weeki Wachee to the airport technology center, spending $5.9 million to purchase and renovate a facility. The company will also more than double its workforce, adding 10 new jobs before the end of 2016, and 12 more by the end of 2017. The total cost for this incentive contract, if all performance conditions are met, is $66,000 payable FY 2017 through 2022.
These three companies alone represent 92 new jobs to the county with wages between $36,000 to $48,000 per year, plus benefits. CareerSource is one avenue that job seekers may use to apply for these positions.