Relocation Stories
Companies who have already relocated to Sarasota County say our quality of life, modern infrastructure, tax incentives and qualified workforce all contribute to the low cost of doing business here. An enviable lifestyle, superior schools and variety of cultural offerings make greater Sarasota a great place to live and work. Our business climate is warm and friendly, too. From relocation and expansion assistance to workforce development and financial incentives, Sarasota County has earned rave reviews from the business community for fostering strategic alliances between the public and private sectors.
Jackson Hewitt
When Jackson Hewitt Inc. relocated its technology center from Virginia Beach to Sarasota, it found "great talent" for its fulltime and seasonal employment needs. "Sarasota provides us a well-educated and trained workforce to draw from," said President and COO Mike Lister.
Part of a skyrocketing local technology sector, the Jackson Hewitt Technology Headquarters Center relocated to the Interstate 75 corridor just off Fruitville Road in March 2002, representing a capital investment of $3 million. In 2003, the company employed 138 full-time and 65 seasonal employees in Sarasota.
The Committee for Economic Development assisted Jackson Hewitt Inc. (JHI) with the relocation, providing vital information during the company's relocation analysis and assisting with workforce and training resources.
The Jackson Hewitt Technology Center is responsible for system-wide support of the JHI business including developing and maintaining the company's proprietary software applications, support of its worldwide network and communications systems, creation of tax education materials and resources, as well as providing a help desk for tax and technology support for all Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations.
A division of Cendant Corp., Jackson Hewitt Inc. is the fastest growing national tax preparation service company and the nation's second largest company in this category with 4,200 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Entrepreneur named it the top tax preparation firm on its list of Top 500 Franchises. Most Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations are independently owned and operated, and offer customers related tax preparation services such as accelerated check refunds, assisted direct deposit of refund checks, refund anticipation loans and free electronic filing with paid tax preparation.
Gemesis
Sarasota is now the source for gem-quality diamonds. These vivid and intense yellow diamonds are not imitations. They're the real thing, with the same chemical properties, hardness and weight as diamonds mined from the earth. But Gemesis Corp. of Sarasota makes them using high-pressure, high-temperature equipment.
The diamonds are cultured at the company's new facility at Lakewood Ranch. Gemesis is currently using about 20,000 square feet for manufacturing, but has room to expand, said President and CEO Carlos Valeiras.
Previously, the company had corporate offices on Longboat Key and a small manufacturing plant in Gainesville. Three of the company's principals and major investors live in the Sarasota area, and consolidation to one nearby location was viewed as ideal for a number of reasons, said Valeiras. "We wanted to integrate the bits and pieces into one facility, which means we can now operate much more efficiently," he said.
Gemesis was able to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in an environment that will attract and keep workers. The company currently has 19 employees, and is hoping to double that number in 2003. The company's operation requires sophisticated technology, and an attractive quality of life helps recruit the talent Gemesis needs.
Valeiras believes that because Sarasota is a cultural and creative center, locating Gemesis here enhances the company's image to both suppliers and potential customers.
Important, too, is Sarasota's business-friendly climate. "Help from the CED (Committee for Economic Development) and local officials meant Gemesis was able to get up and running relatively quickly," he said.
BESTech
Now Sarasota-based BESTechnologies, Inc. is using bacteria to deliver new solutions to today's wastewater problems.
BESTech recently relocated to a new, $1 million, 12,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Lakewood Ranch's Corporate Park.
Company representatives have nothing but accolades for the way local officials and the Committee for Economic Development helped get their new facility built and operating. "We took advantage of the rapid permitting process and were in our new building in less than a year. "That's really remarkable," Spiker said.
"They were extremely cooperative, always there to help us," said Karen Cashell, the company's vice president. "We are excited about being in Lakewood Ranch and we're very happy with our decision to move here."
MadahCom
Sarasota's modern infrastructure and lower cost of doing business were part of the decision to relocate MadahCom Inc. here. The Committee for Economic Development was very helpful in identifying workforce resources, as well as sources of office space, which meant the transition from New York City to Sarasota went smoothly, Chief Executive Reuben Ben-Arie said.
MadahCom Inc. is a leading provider of digital wireless communications. The company manufactures WAVES (wireless audio visual and emergency systems) that are used for mass notification, personnel alerting and asset protection. WAVES is a unique system - no two are identical - and the wireless technology allows it to be mobile, temporary and permanent.
