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Barry: New Industry With Up To 200 Jobs Likely Headed To Central Commerce Park In Cantonment
June 29, 2021
A new industry bringing up to 200 new jobs in their first year of operation may be coming to the Central Commerce Park in Cantonment.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon that he believes he will present a letter of intent from the company to the full commission for a vote on July 8.
Barry same the company is looking at about 75 acres in the Central Commerce Park for a facility that will bring 150 to 200 jobs their first year in operation. He expects the private capital investment by the company will be about $20 million.
He said the project will involve no out of pocket money from the county.
“It’s really good news. It’s the first company we’ve been able to bring forward for this commerce park since I’ve been in office,” said Barry, who is now in his third term.
He declined to name the company or the type of industry due to economic development privacy exemptions, but he did say it will be a company that is new to Escambia County.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry discusses a potential new industry during a town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
12 Responses to “Barry: New Industry With Up To 200 Jobs Likely Headed To Central Commerce Park In Cantonment”
Right on thinker. The retirement payout is the “ dirty laundry” they don’t care to discuss and the $$$$ don’t flow to Gilley
Howie, 194,659 was the population of Mobile in 2010, just 10 yrs later it’s 186,500 so there were 8000 people who didn’t think it so hot.
Housing demand is not there.
Population of Pensacola is 52,975 +1.9% over 10 yrs but that comparing apples to oranges in the different size cities.
Point is, Which do you think is more appealing?
It is all about supply and demand, With Florida going to $15 hour Minimum wage, our neighbors to the west are going to have to make some tough decisions. work for half the pay 20 miles over the line or less.
As for Mrs. Gilley… Talk on the streets is that EVERYONE sees her firing as retaliation for her saying the BCC was not ethical to take that $250k payout….
It may be Legal, but sure not ethical Steve Berry and the BCC.
Let me ask… Would they have been so interested if the Market had lost 200K???
I THINK NOT!!!
Me thinks there is so more firings coming… Keep your ear to the ballot.
FL West seems to make this type of announcement every year before budget time. Then nothing comes of it. Hopefully this time it is real.
how are you going to find
150 people who want to work?????
there a LOT of fast food places that
would love to have 5 people who would come
to work!!!!!!!!!!!
Howie, who cares? why did Gilley get axed, she was doing a great job, would call you back and was informative.
Cost of starting a business – taxes, licenses, permits, people who want to work, the area that is available for your type of business all play a major role in where a business is started. Not every type of business is fit for every city. The cost of living is 9.03% higher in Pensacola, FL. Mobile housing costs are 16.7% less expensive than Pensacola housing costs. Median house cost $120,000 in Mobile vs. $144,000 in Pensacola. The Port of Mobile compared to Pensacola Port Authority, in my opinion there is no comparison. Mobile has it going on. By warehouse space, number of employees, the state of the art crane system used for the container intermodal complex, the recent completed construction of the largest cold storage facility of its kind in the Southeast. It encompasses 53,000 sq ft and offers blast freeze capability for poultry exports. Mobile’s port also offers back haul opportunities for carriers.
Barry has noted Gilley was his long-time appointee on the Santa Rosa Island Authority before he nominated her for county administrator, but she was not working out in the position. Barry has said “I don’t have an interest in airing complaints and dirty laundry and that kind of stuff.” Barry keeps his opinions in private. You commenters think what you want to about Barry, but I have had only great results with him. You don’t know unless you try it out.
Bergosh said Gilley always has been willing to work with him and has done a lot of things right. But he said that he felt she made missteps in handling human resource situations, especially around Emergency Medical Services and Escambia County Area Transit.
ECAT union voted ‘no confidence’ in Janice Gilley. “No confidence” – not deemed fit to hold the position.
With that many complaints from Government services in our County, the Commissioners felt that Gilley should be removed from office. It’s better to go now, than later when more situations can arise and become mishandled.
Putting her work habits aside, Gilley is a great person and only wish her the best in the future.
Did anyone ask him about the whole retirement back pay fiasco?
Good for you “Sean Bullington”. I figured he wouldn’t answer. I’m with “Flag”, will not vote for him again.
Although, he probably will not run again, three terms entitles him to full county retirement.
Maybe Janice will run.
With all these industrial parks mostly vacant, just wondering why Mobile ala. can attract companies. We should be able to do the same.
StraightShooter, yes , I asked and he did NOT answer as to why.
Mr. Barry,
Good to hear of new businesses considering our county.
There are still a lot of us out here waiting for you to come clean about Janice Gilley’s firing. Can’t vote for you again until you do!
Good luck to them finding 200 people to hire.
Did anyone ask Barry why he fired Janice Gilley?