Governor Rick Scott today visited Boston Whaler in Edgewater during his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour. Boston Whaler has been manufacturing boats in Florida for over 20 years for customers all over the globe. Two years ago, Enterprise Florida helped the company complete a $10 million expansion that led to the creation of 120 jobs. Boston Whaler has more than tripled in jobs at their Edgewater facility since the end of 2010 and now employs nearly 780 Floridians.
Boston Whaler
ICYMI: Daytona Beach News-Journal: Gov. Scott holds up Boston Whaler as proof of Enterprise Florida’s worth
Gov. Rick Scott holds up Boston Whaler as proof of Enterprise Florida’s worth
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Casmira Harrison
April 4, 2017
For the second time in two years, Gov. Rick Scott dropped into Southeast Volusia to do some cheerleading for boat manufacturer Boston Whaler.
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The first visit came in May 2015 when the boat-building company underwent an expansion that added more than 120 jobs, leading Scott to tout the plant’s 600-strong workforce. By Tuesday’s visit, the company had increased its numbers to around 750 employees with plans to add a whopping 350 workers over a two-year run.
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AN ENTERPRISING VISIT: Enterprise Florida is at the center of a prolonged legislative fight. Scott has been promoting business incentive programs like the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund program Boston Whaler took advantage of in its 2015 expansion, and is pushing to keep both Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida intact.
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Scott has proposed $85 million for incentives offered through Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development agency, according to a News Service of Florida report last week. The House voted to abolish the organization on March 10 and House Speaker Richard Corcoran has engaged in a battle with Scott over its value.
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Amid the scent of laminate resin and surrounded by Boston Whaler’s massive warehouse facility, Enterprise Florida got several plugs, including from Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys.
“They’re doubling our efforts,” said Denys of the state tax incentive program.
Boston Whaler President Nick Stickler touted the partnership he said the company has with Enterprise Florida.
“They can help introduce us to the right people,” Stickler said. “They can help move projects forward and those things allow us to do what we’re good at.”
Governor Rick Scott Highlights Job Creation at Boston Whaler
Governor Rick Scott visited Boston Whaler to highlight the company’s recent job creation. In 2015, the company completed an 18-month expansion project that led to the creation of more than 120 new jobs. Since the completion of that expansion, Boston Whaler has created more than 160 additional jobs and now employs nearly 750 Floridians. Boston Whaler has been manufacturing boats in Florida since 1988.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to recognize Boston Whaler’s ongoing success in Florida following the completion of their expansion project two years ago. Their expansion would not have been possible without Enterprise Florida, and now nearly 750 Floridians have great jobs. Boston Whaler is a great example of why Enterprise Florida works: the economic incentives EFI offered helped Boston Whaler invest in our state, and our focus on making Florida business-friendly has led to years of further growth at Boston Whaler. I look forward to seeing their continued success in our state.”
Boston Whaler President Nick Stickler said, “We appreciate Governor Scott for visiting our facility today and for recognizing our hard-working team members. Boston Whaler is proud of the opportunities we have been able to create for Florida families with the support of Enterprise Florida and our local economic development partners. The relationship we have maintained with EFI and their local partners over the years has made a great difference for our company, and we look forward to continuing working together. Boston Whaler is committed to creating the safest, easiest to own, and most exciting boats on the water, and Florida is truly the best place for our team to meet that goal.”
Gov. Scott to Highlight Job Growth at Boston Whaler in Edgewater
MEDIA ADVISORY
Tomorrow, April 4, Governor Rick Scott will highlight job growth at boat manufacturer Boston Whaler in Edgewater.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 2:15 PM
WHERE: Boston Whaler
100 Whaler Way
Edgewater, FL
NOTE: To attend, please contact Susan Haywood from Boston Whaler at 386-428-0057 or [email protected].
