US (FL): Global Organic relocating to Sarasota County
Global Organic Specialty Source announced last week that it will combine its Miami and Manatee County operations in a larger warehouse to accommodate the company’s growth. The company’s Manatee County location is at 7345 16th St. E, Sarasota, just north of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
The company expects to create 62 new jobs over the next five years as a result of the relocation. Mark Huey, of the local Economic Development Corp., says the job creation is a condition of the incentive package. It is anticipated that the average salary for the jobs will be $41,000.
"This was a case of regional collaboration to keep a successful company and fine employer in the Sarasota-Manatee community," Huey said. "Working with our colleagues at the Manatee Economic Development Corp., we were able to assist Global Organic Specialty Source in expediting the company’s expansion. Global Organic started in Sarasota County and outgrew the facility, then moved to Manatee County and outgrew another home, and is now returning to Sarasota County to continue growing."
Global Organic Specialty Source (www.globalorganics.ws) is a wholesale distributor of certified organic produce, serving large supermarkets, retail stores, restaurants, resorts, and buying clubs/co-ops.
Sarasota County Commissioners approved an incentive package of $124,000 to the company to help facilitate their expansion, under a project called Project Pineapple. Commissioner Jon Thaxton voted against awarding the incentive.
The company requested a larger sum of money, but the commission had budget responsibilities, said Chairwoman, Christine Robinson.
Global Organic president Mitch Blumenthal said the organic produce business is booming.
"The organic industry has shown double-digit growth over the last year as people become more aware and concerned about their food sources and health," said Mitch Blumenthal, president of Global Organic Specialty Source. "We also have a reputation for freshness and quality which has aided us in our growth. We currently serve the Southeastern U.S. and export to the outlying Caribbean islands. We’ve simply outgrown our current physical plant. The larger facility will allow us to move our Miami operations to Sarasota so that we will receive ocean containers in Sarasota for national distribution and oversee all of our operations under one roof."
Blumenthal estimates that the company will invest $930,000 to renovate the building and add new equipment to automate processes and support its expansion into handling frozen food products.
"We have to thank both the Manatee and Sarasota EDCs, which helped us explore options for our relocation," he said. "The support and understanding of the Manatee EDC as we came to realize our needs would best be met in Sarasota was really wonderful. The EDC of Sarasota County clearly outlined the economic development expectations and desires of the community and helped us investigate opportunities as we took on this large capital expansion. County staff gave us a clear picture of the county’s role in the project, with both the EDC and county touring our current facility to better understand our needs."
Source: sarasota.patch.com
