Pinellas County Commission Celebrates Completion of New Employment Sites Program-Supported
Industrial Building in Oldsmar, FL
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2022
Media Contact: Karisa Rojas-Norton
Pinellas County Economic Development
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The 130,000 square foot, tilt-wall constructed building provides modernized industrial space for two existing Oldsmar companies, and one new business.
Oldsmar, Florida: The Pinellas County Commission celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 6, the completion of Brooker Creek South, the first industrial manufacturing building supported in part by Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program (ESP). The developer, Harrod Properties, Inc., constructed the facility at 500 Brooker Creek Blvd, in Oldsmar’s thriving industrial market. The ribbon cutting was attended by Pinellas County Economic Development, the City of Oldsmar, Harrod Properties, and the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.
The landmark building represents an investment of $15 Million into Brooker Creek South by Harrod Properties, Inc., to develop a 130,000 square feet modern industrial space for three companies, featuring 30’ clear height ceilings, dock-high and grade-level rear loading, and tilt-wall construction over a span of 11.27 acres. Pinellas County Commissioners approved $908,500 of gap funding through the ESP to assist with the higher cost of development and to ensure the industrial facility will accommodate employers for at least 20 years.
Harrod Properties, Inc., a leader in vertically integrated full-service commercial real estate investment and development, recruited tenants Edmund Optics, Future Development and Design, and Belac’s Chromalloy - all companies that are consistent with the County’s target industries.
Said Rob Webster II, President of Harrod Properties, “Building speculative industrial space is always risky. However, in the COVID era it has become even more so given the unprecedented inflation we have been experiencing. Land and construction costs have more than doubled since the start of COVID. Fortunately, we have been able to overcome the cost increases thanks in part to the ESP program, a very strong local workforce and increased demand for new industrial and manufacturing space within Pinellas County”
Oldsmar is proud to boast a robust manufacturing industry. Mayor Dan Saracki explains, "The City of Oldsmar has a rich history of supporting the significant manufacturing base that Pinellas County continues to sustain in Florida. The improvements to Brooker Creek South add to our ability to offer the right facilities to attract new business, and to provide opportunity for existing businesses to expand. The location of our community provides access to skilled workers that help our local businesses grow."
Director of Pinellas County Economic Development Dr. Cynthia Johnson explained, “Companies investing in industrial properties in our area will find the market highly competitive. My department works diligently to help these enterprises expand their operations, but with the tide now turning towards re-shoring, and bringing supply chains closer to home, we are going to see demand for industrial, manufacturing and flex space grow even more. The ESP is yet another example of collaborative efforts with companies to strengthen Pinellas County as a major manufacturing hub, while helping fill capital gaps to bring new construction to market.”
The Pinellas County Commission will review the latest round of ESP Applicants in September. For more information about ESP, visit www.pced.org/esp.
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Pinellas County Economic Development works with existing businesses to encourage expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers to our community. Through investment tools, business classes, professional consulting services, trade missions to open new markets, and strategic partnerships, PCED fosters a pro-business environment and promotes the ideal business climate of Pinellas County, Florida. |
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Pinellas County Economic Development
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