Barrette Outdoor Living (BOL) is planning to expand the current Alumi-Guard facility, which manufactures a wide variety of aluminum fencing, railing and gates. Alumi-Guard Inc. began operations in the county in 2006 and was acquired by Barrette in February of 2014. BOL, with headquarters in Cleveland, OH is one of the largest manufacturers of fencing, railing and outdoor living products in the nation, employing over 1100 people across the US. The Alumi Guard facility located at the Brooksville- Tampa Bay Regional Airport Corporate Airpark (phase II) provides 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Barrette is seeking to build a 100,000 square foot distribution facility on a 4.6 acre lot to the south of their current 16 acre site located at 2401 Corporate Park Blvd. The distribution facility represents a $6.5 million investment.
Valerie Pianta, Economic Development Manager expects that the capital improvements would increase their ad valorem taxes from $129,000 to around $190,000 annually. Commissioners unanimously approved the new land lease at the airport property, which adds $1,340.64 to Barette’s monthly lease obligations for a total of $6,032.88.
In order to speed up the construction process, commissioners also approved a developer’s agreement with Barette for drainage and stormwater runoff improvement on site as well as off site. The county would be financially responsible for off site construction costs, not to exceed $208,869.71.
A healthy incentives package was also unanimously approved, which includes a job incentives package, building permit and impact fee mitigation and Rapid Response Permitting.
Barette is committing to the creation of 43 new jobs with an average salary of $37,506+/year by Dec. 31, 2019. If that is upheld the county agrees to allocate a job creation incentive totaling $129,000. The incentive payment is spread out over 5 years with a $25,800 payment granted beginning in FY 2020 through FY2024.
In 2016, a $180,000 incentives package paid over 5 years was approved for the hiring of 60 new employees which brought the total to 247 by July 2017.
The building permit and impact fee mitigation for the new facility construction is estimated at $110,620. County documentation reads, “Permit & Review Fees: $48,120.00
Impact Fees: $62,500.00 – per the ordinance the company will have to pay impact fees in excess of $50,000 and then be reimbursed for those fees over a 7-year period.
For this incentive, the county will pay the fees to the building department.”
As far as Rapid Response Permitting, “Barrette will be assigned a Rapid Response Permitting Team (RRPT) that includes county administration, planning, building, zoning, fire, engineering, airport and economic development staff. With one point of contact the RRPT will ensure the project flows smoothly and quickly through all phases of the permitting process, generally reducing turnaround time by 50%.”
Besides an economic driver in Hernando County, Alumi-Guard is also known for their community involvement. The company provides employment opportunities for The Arc Nature Coast participants and has donated equipment to the SunTech welding program in recent years.
