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24 Jul 2006
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Space Coast Wins Guardian Manufacturing Expansion
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Competitive Project to Retain 56 jobs and add at least 10 new jobs for the Space Coast
Brevard County, Florida - The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast is pleased to announce the expansion of Guardian Manufacturing, Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. Guardian, who currently employs 56, will construct a new 25,000 square foot building in the City of Cocoa and plans to create an additional 10 new jobs within the next 12 months. This decision comes after an intensive search of several locations along the East Coast of the United States, including Brevard County, the Central Florida area, and Atlanta, Georgia where they currently have a small distribution operation.
Guardian, who has been in Brevard County since 1993, is embarking on a new product line and will be pursuing the development of an ozone generation system for food processing and water treatment. They will focus on new market development in the cold storage of fruits and vegetables and water treatment systems. This new endeavor will require additional space which was not available in their current Rockledge location, thus requiring a new facility.
New positions being created include engineering and technicians to support the company’s new Ozone Generation Development products with an average wage of $55,000. The expansion will result in an economic new wage impact of $1,116,940 to Brevard County. Guardian Manufacturing, Inc. will make a capital investment of $2,450,000 which includes the new construction of their building and personal property purchases to support this expansion.
Guardian Manufacturing, Inc., is primarily known as a control system integration, manufacturing and process control consulting provider offering continuing support and maintenance for its many other integration and control products. Eighty percent of Guardian’s customers are Fortune 500 companies in the entertainment, automotive, space, pharmaceutical, agricultural and building products industries. Its products and systems are installed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Thailand, China and Turkey.
Guardian’s first product was an in-car ignition interlock mechanism for alcohol monitoring, the Guardian Interlock Device. The interlock mechanism, prohibits a car from being started by an intoxicated person and is leased by DUI offenders as part of their probation requirements.
To ensure the company chose to expand operations on the Space Coast, the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast led the team to outline their requirements and create a competitive package. The EDC team included representatives from:- Brevard County
- City of Cocoa
- Brevard Job Link
- Enterprise Florida
- Governors Office of Tourism Trade and Economic Development (OTTED)
Several financial incentives were sought for Guardian Manufacturing including the Brevard County Ad Valorem Tax Abatement, City of Cocoa Ad Valorem Tax Abatement and the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund from the State of Florida.
“Our determination to expand is a significant decision for our company which comes with many options. Clearly, Brevard County’s package was the most comprehensive and competitive, which led to our decision to stay in our home town community. We are ready to grow and to continue providing a positive and lasting impact on the Space Coast economy,” said Charles Smith, president of Guardian Manufacturing, Inc.
“Any time our community has the opportunity to grow one of our own, it is important to bring together all resources to ensure their investment stays here at home. The retention of their current 56 jobs is equally important as the creation of their new jobs. Guardian's reach is worldwide with products and systems that are installed throughout the world – that type of reach is critically important to the further development of our overall economy,” said Lynda L. Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “The company’s choice to expand operations in Brevard County is a clear illustration of our community’s ability to support the dynamic needs of companies - large and small - operating in today’s global marketplace.”
About Guardian Ignition Interlock Manufacturing, Inc. - Since incorporated in 1993 Guardian Manufacturing, Inc. has grown to be a leader in control systems design and integration. It is a diversified company that’s recognized as one of the leading providers of integration solutions and products for the automotive, home building products, space, entertainment, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast - The EDC is a private, not-for-profit organization committed to the economic stability and growth of Brevard County, Florida. Our stakeholders are existing businesses and industries whose leaders are dedicated to maintaining a strong business environment while preserving our community's unbeatable quality of life. The EDC's staff of professionals is prepared to assist business in all relocation and/or expansion phases...from choosing an ideal site through production start-up. As always, there is never a fee for our services and we respect the confidentiality of all inquiries. For more information, visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.
Guardian Ignition Interlock Manufacturing, Inc. - Project Facts
- Average wage $55,000
- 13 additional jobs will be created indirectly, with an additional impact of $566,940
- Total of 23 new jobs, with a total economic impact of $1,116,940
- New personal property capital investment - $150,000
- New construction capital investment- $2,300,000
- Total capital investment of $2,450,000
EDC Project Management: Guardian Ignition Interlock Manufacturing, Inc.- EDC of Florida’s Space Coast opened the Guardian Ignition Interlock Manufacturing, Inc. project January 2006
- Incentives: EDC managed application submissions for several local incentives including:
- Brevard County Ad Valorem Tax Abatement at 80% for 8 Years
- Potential saving to the company: $53,920
- Potential revenue to the county: $93,184
- City of Cocoa Ad Valorem Tax Abatement at 50% for 2 Years
- Potential saving to the company: $7,960
- Potential revenue to the city: $7,960
- Enterprise Florida Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund: $32,000
- Workforce Assistance: EDC coordinated meetings with Guardian Manufacturing, Inc., Brevard Workforce Development Board, and Job Link to review workforce related grant programs and local training.
Additional Information- Construction to begin August 2006
- Expected to occupy new facility by February 2007
- Company has begun hiring for positions and expects to finalize by March 2007
- For employment fax resume to Marianna Heurmann at (321) 631-4517 or mail to: Guardian Manufacturing, Inc., 571-A Haverty Court, Rockledge, FL 32955
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