|
|
Economic Development
|
Date:
|
|
|
|
For more information, contactCouncil for Economic Outreach
David Ramsey, Director of Economic Development
(352) 378-7300
david@gceo.com
Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. to Open Manufacturing Center in Alachua County
Facility breathes new life into lithium-ion battery manufacturing equipment
December 22, 2009 (Gainesville, Fla.)
– The Council for Economic Outreach (CEO) is pleased to welcome
Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. (BES) to Alachua County. BES will
create 15 jobs with an average wage of at least $40,000. This comes in
the midst of economic uncertainty amid a continued push towards clean
energy independence
The existing facility and machinery, located
at Phoenix Commercial Park on US Hwy 441, will undergo an update
suitable for the company’s development and manufacture of lithium-ion
cells for rechargeable batteries. Renovations and upgrades to the
facility are expected to cost approximately $10 million dollars and
will occur over a two-year period.
Brent Christensen,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gainesville Area Chamber
of Commerce and Council for Economic Outreach, noted that CEO has been
working to recruit BES since October 2009. “Bren-Tronics Energy
Systems, Inc. was naturally attracted to Alachua County by the
valuable equipment housed at Phoenix Commercial Park, and we pledge to
assist in nurturing this company to new heights by connecting them to
the area’s innovative resources in technology, advanced workforce
development and unparalleled quality of life,” said Christensen.
The company considered other areas throughout North America and Asia, ultimately choosing Florida and Phoenix Commercial Park.
"Bren-Tronics
Energy Systems, Inc. is a perfect fit for Phoenix Commercial Park as
Phoenix focuses on becoming the center of exciting new energy product
research and manufacturing in the southeast. We are very fortunate to
have a tenant like them, a strong company with a grounded business
philosophy. It is our belief that their presence in Alachua County is
a very positive move toward drawing other clean energy partners to this
area. We would like to thank the CEO group and the Alachua County
Commissioners for their support," said Lisa Albertson, landlord of the
facility.
Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. will be eligible
to receive $82,500 in performance based economic development tax rebate
incentives to locate here, 20 percent of which will originate from
Alachua County.
Richard Drummond, Alachua County Assistant
County Manager, said, “their decision to locate portions of its
research and manufacturing operations to Alachua County is a
significant milestone. This provides new jobs in a growth segment of
the economy that represents innovation and alternative energy
development. In addition, the facility being occupied by Bren-Tronics
Energy Systems, Inc. contains valuable lithium-ion manufacturing
equipment unique to North America and the United States. This will
allow for the retention of that equipment locally resulting in the
export rather than import of lithium-ion cells, and providing for
future expansion of this market segment.”
About CEOFounded
in 1991, CEO is the designated economic development entity for all of
Alachua County. CEO’s charge is to assist existing business/industry
through expansion/retention, entrepreneurial support and
recruitment/attraction of new jobs. Since its Opportunity 2010 Capital
Campaign kickoff in 2006, CEO has worked on more than 170 economic
development projects and has assisted in the creation and retention of
approximately 1,500 jobs. CEO is funded through private investments
from businesses throughout the Gainesville/Alachua County area.
About Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. Bren-Tronics
Energy Systems, Inc. (BES) is a privately owned small business engaged
in the design and manufacture of custom lithium-ion cells targeted for
Energy Storage.
###
|