Century eyes tenant for vacant building

In a vote of 4 to 1, the Century Town Council Tuesday night approved Mayor Ben Boutwell to negotiate lease terms with a company interested in setting up warehouse distribution and eventually manufacturing in the original Starter Sportwear building in the industrial park in Century. Council president Luis Gomez voted no. Council members Shelisa Abraham, Dynette Lewis and Sandra McMurray Jackson voted yes.

Danita Andrews with FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance presented to the council an economic development project for Century from a company interested in occupying the building at 6081 Industrial Boulevard to set up a distribution warehouse and eventually a manufacturing business that makes component parts for the oil and gas industry.

According to their website, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance works to connect the assets, resources and skilled workforce of the Greater Pensacola region with business and industry to build a thriving industrial and professional community for the ongoing economic growth and prosperity of the region.

Andrews said the opportunity came through state of Florida’s Enterprise Florida International Trade Division and she has been working with the company since October 2022 to find a place.

“They looked at all potential options available for the related to space in Escambia County,” said Andrews. “They have decided they’d like to pursue the 40,000 square-foot building in the industrial park for lease.”

She said it is a New to Florida project with plans for 20 jobs within the next 5 years, hiring five people initially, and 10 by end of 2023.

The total average wages are $46,570, which is commiserate with the Pensacola Metropolitan Statistical Areas average wage, although some jobs would pay higher and some lower. The company is involved in manufacturing and warehouse distribution and initially wanting to do manufacturing but is eyeing the manufacturing side.

It’s actually a foreign plastics and rubber extrusion company, established for 50 years, that already has US established companies.

Andrews referred to the recent appraisal, and said the company is offering $2.35 per square foot, which is $94,000 annually and $7,833 monthly. She said the lease would be a triple net, which means the operating cost, insurance, property tax and maintenance would be paid by the tenant. She said the details of lease arrangement, such as length of initial lease, renewal options, any potential escalation on annual basis and when that should start would be part of negotiations and the company’s goal to be in operation by the end of February.

“We are on a fairly fast track for this project,” said Andrews. “I spoke with the company’s chief financial officer, who has indicated he, the chief executive officer and the operations director will all be in Escambia County next week.”

Andrews wanted to arrange a meeting with council members individually to meet with company representatives. She asked the council to approve granting Mayor Boutwell the authority to work with Florida West and the company to negotiate lease terms that would be in best interest of all concerned for good paying, steady jobs, long-term success of both town and company. She said it might ensure the company would make Century its home.

Andrews said she could bring back a proposal lease to the council with a five-year minimum with a potential for longer.

“Once a lease arrangement in the works, the company would like to assess what additional needs may be needed to make modifications to the facility for the manufacturing side of the business,” said Andrews.

Andrews said there may be additional space needed, to expand the facility or build another building in the future.

Andrews did not disclose the name of the company at the meeting, but said she could in one-on-one meetings with council members. She did say the company has customers in the Carolinas as well as further west in the U.S.

“They currently export from where they are,” said Andrews. “They would like to establish an operation in the U.S.”

A resident on the phone asked about possible pollution and asked the town to do some background study or research to see if there are any long-term effects or health problems associated with the product the company is currently producing currently. Andrews said there is no waste and nothing that would contaminate the water or air that she was aware of.

Andrews said when the company became aware of the size of the building in Century, it made good business sense for them to manufacture here rather than export from where they are.

“Escambia County is about halfway between the current customers in the Carolinas and the ones out west, and it a good location to reach customers rather quickly with the interstate connectivity with I-10 and I-65,” said Andrews.

Lewis asked about noise pollution and Andrews said she will ask the company to send details about decibels.

“I do know that typically, the type of equipment they’re talking about using pressure to extrude those products rather than making a lot of noise,” said Andrews. “I can certainly ask the company to provide those details for me.”

Andrews said she will also ask about environmental concerns and said that they do use domestic waste for cooling the equipment, which is recycled within that piece of equipment and does not go back into the waste stream. She said that she is not aware if the company will require any type of special permitting, but those details will emerge with any negotiations in the future.

Gomez expressed concern that she was asking to have the mayor negotiate and suggested that seems to cut the council out altogether.

“Twenty jobs in five years is nothing for the town of Century,” said Gomez. “Atmore opened a peanut plant and automatically, 200 jobs. That’s what I’m looking for for Century, something with some people who want to be transparent and make Century their home.”

Gomez eluded to past business deals he deemed as under the cover of night, or with a lot of stipulations, referring to them as ‘backroom deals.’

“I’m just tired of people wanting to come to Century, wanting to hide,” said Gomez.

“Nothing will be done unless it comes back to this table,” said Boutwell. “OK, Mr. Gomez, just keep holding us back.”

“I’m out, ya’ll can vote on it,” said Gomez. “That ain’t what my vision is for the helicopter building.”

Gomez mentioned several months ago when another company approached the council and asked why nothing materialized. Andrews said that project was put on hold due to other issues associated with his business that out that project on hold.

“We do need to begin laying the groundwork for what a potential lease would look like for them,” said Andrews.

Councilwoman Lewis made a motion, which was seconded by Jackson. All voted yes except Gomez, who voted no.