Two manufacturers to receive incentives for creation of 222 jobs

SARASOTA — Sarasota County commissioners recently voted unanimously to support awarding performance-based economic development incentives to two manufacturers, Rhino Trailers and Commercial Residential Aluminum and Fabricating, for the creation of 222 jobs.  

Commercial Residential Aluminum and Fabricating, which specializes in manufacturing an array of aluminum product, is already in Sarasota and expanding, while Rhino Trailers is expanding into Florida and has established a 34,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the county. The company is a producer of utility, landscape, car hauler and dump trailers, according to a press release

"This program allows companies such as CRA to continue to grow and develop our local workforce while providing economic strength to the people of our communities," says Commercial Residential Aluminum and Fabricating Owner and CEO Tom Teffenhart in the statement. "We are thankful to be a Sarasota County business and we look forward to providing vocational opportunities to anyone that has the desire to start a new career in residential and commercial aluminum manufacturing and installations.”

The jobs must be filled and verified by the county before incentive funds are provided to the companies, the release states. Incentive fund figures were not disclosed. Both companies are expected to hire local graduates from technical colleges. 

"We couldn’t be more impressed with the swift and eager action by the County of Sarasota and the EDC," says Rhino Trailers President Richard Medford in the statement. "Their assistance and guidance really allowed us to focus on opening our facility and hiring skilled labor needed to produce trailers. Sarasota County is clearly eager and ready to expand manufacturing within the county. We look forward to growing our facility and the need for skilled talent."

According to Dave Bullock, CEO of the EDC, the organization has worked with three projects that represent a capital investment of over $6 million and almost 400 new jobs since October 2020. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of manufacturing within our local economy," says Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturers Association Executive Director Rob Harris in the statement. "Manufacturing was the steady, and even growing, portion of our economy in 2020, as tourism, retail, and food/beverage were ravaged. It is great that Sarasota County is offering incentive grants to entice local and out-of-state manufacturers to expand here. This is not a handout; the manufacturer will be held accountable for meeting their goal requirements.”