Sarasota, state offer $200K to woo companies

SARASOTA — State and local officials have committed what could be more than $200,000 in financial aid to two companies considering Sarasota for a new headquarters.

One firm, an engineering and environmental consulting business, is primed to receive $144,000, according to Sarasota County documents. The project, under the code name Project Kennedy, is split between $120,000 from the state's Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund and a local match of 20%.

The company has committed to creating 30 fulltime jobs with an average annual wage of at least $61,316, according to a statement from the Sarasota County office of Business and Economic Development. The company, the statement adds, says incentives are “essential in its decision to locate to Sarasota.”

Another firm, a cosmetic, health and beauty wholesaler, could receive a total of $64,800. That project, under the code name Project Beauty, includes a QTI tax refund of $54,000 and a local match of 20%. The firm is considering buying a 30,000-square-foot building in Sarasota, officials say, which will create 18 fulltime jobs with an average annual wage of at least $46,291.

Sarasota County commissioners are scheduled to hear these items at an April 26 meeting. For each company, the local match comes over a six-year period beginning in state fiscal year 2018, the statement says. The match would be funded with money from the Economic Development Incentive Grant Program.