Sarasota County vying for factory
Published: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 7:16 p.m.
SARASOTA - It may be a long shot, but Southwest Florida is in the running to land a German manufacturing operation that is scouting the state for a new plant.
Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development agency, put out word late last week that the unnamed fiberglass products maker wants to establish a U.S. headquarters and manufacturing center.
Dubbing the confidential search "Project Nutcracker," Enterprise Florida asked for responses by Monday from local economic development officials who may want to pitch the type of land and buildings the company is seeking.
The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County found at least one building -- the vacant Parker-Hannifin facility on Clark Road -- that may fit the German company's requirements, said Scott Rimmer, vice president of business development.
"We were faced with a short time frame," Rimmer said. "And we don't know who it is."
The company is looking to make a $24 million capital investment in its U.S. operation that would include industrial or spec buildings measuring up to 70,000 square feet and five to 10 acres of land, according to Rimmer. Industrial zoning and an acid-treatment permit are required.
The company also wants highway or Interstate access and, preferably, rail line access within 30 miles.
The 110,000-square-foot Parker-Hannifin gear pump plant closed in early 2007.
Sean Helton, a spokesman with Enterprise Florida in Tallahassee, said he could not discuss specifics because the public-private economic development agency has signed a confidentiality agreement with the company.
"Some of these projects take years to work out. Some can happen more quickly than that," Helton said.
According to information the Sarasota EDC sent to members, the company wants to begin site visits next month, make a decision by year-end and start operations next July.
The state contacted all 67 Florida counties about the company, Rimmer said. Officials with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. did not return calls for comment.
"No doubt, the German company is also looking at other states," he said.
This story appeared in print on page D1
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