CP Performance describes itself as “the world’s leading marine mail order superstore for all your performance boating needs,” selling parts, clothing, tools, safety equipment and technical manuals, among other items. The 30-year-old company is based near Santa Rosa, Calif., with a sister operation called Hardin Marine Products in Palm Coast.
Last fall, after talks with Flagler County’s economic development department and a $90,000 county subsidy, the company decided to consolidate and elrage its operations in Flagler, where its 15,000 square foot facility at 11 Industry Drive (which it shares with Class A Printing) will be significantly enlarged, with the addition of a 20,000 to 30,000 square foot building by December 2020.
The company told the county it was planning a $2 to $3 million investment. The consolidation would result in the creation of 20 net new jobs within five years, with an average (rather than a mean) salary of $36,000. The company will be required to submit an annual report detailing employment numbers.
On Tuesday, the Palm Coast City Council said it will approve its own economic development incentive package for CP Performance–an arrangement that also nets the city some immediate advantages in exchange.
One of those is an easement through CPO Performance’s property, off U.S. 1, to the city’s public works facility just north of the company’s grounds. The city is preparing to revamp and enlarge that facility, a three-year plan with a potential price tag of $14 million. The easement will grant the city a second entryway into the facility, from the south. CP Performance also agrees to design and build a stormwater pond at the south end of the public works facility at its own expense. But all stormwater from the CP Performance property will flow to the city pond
The city, for its part, will extend its broadband, FiberNet cables to CP Performance at its own expense and waive all planning application and permit fees related to CP’s new building construction, money the city expects to recoup through property taxes.
“They want to expand, they want to stay in the city of Palm Coast,” Interim City Manager Beau Falgout said. “There’s no check written upfront, simply offset those costs they’d normally pay when developing their space.” It’s not clear whether the new jobs will be hired locally. “Based on the salary it’s probably local talent,” Falgout said.
Last fall the county commission approved a $90,000 incentive for CP Performance, spread over 10 years, with the first $54,000 provided in the first four years. The annual amounts are equal to, or less than, the property taxes the company is expected to pay annually.
“This is a perfect example of the collaborative business environment that exists in Flagler County,” County Commission Chairman Don O’Brien, who also chairs the county’s economic development advisory council, said last fall, when the county approved the package. “We learned of the possible relocation of the company through our partnership with Bruce Page, President and Senior V.P. Laura Gilvary, of Intracoastal Bank. Helga van Eckert, and her team, were able to work with Mr. Price and the city to ensure local economic growth,” stated Donald O’Brien, Chair of the Flagler Economic Advisory Council.”
Scott Price is the vice president of CP Performance. The county, in its predilection for punning code names before the plan could be made public, had referred to its talks with CP Performance as “Project Price is Right.”
Stretchem says
Mail-order? Who even says that anymore? Should folks also call into their toll free number, and send easy payments via check or money order?
Why isn’t the city handing out incentives and waiving permits and paying for construction of fiber into the buildings of existing businesses in town?
Mary Fusco says
And, all the fools in PC think that this company will have high paying jobs. These companies relocate to places like PC because they can get cheap labor.
Jack Howell says
This is a good move for both the City of Palm Coast and for CP Performance. I will work closely with this company to ensure a smooth transition to show that in fact, Palm Coast is very business friendly! Welcome to Palm Coast CP Performance.
Flatsflyer says
sounds like another Trump inspired business, claiming to be the worlds leading supplier yet in need of handouts. The $36 k average salary won’t even allow the average employee to buy a house in Palm Coast. This is simply a plan to enrich the owners at the expense of taxpayers in both Santa Rosa and Palm Cost.
John Smythe says
Read the article Mary….they aren’t relocating, they have been here for a while and they are expanding. Also and average salary of $36,000 is not too bad.
But you are right….let’s put an end to any sort of business climate improvement and just complain
John Kent says
20 people employed, maybe or maybe not, with some salary $$ or not….haven’t we seen it before? Both on local and federal level. Solyndra anyone?! Lol Pure insanity
One Company I work with closely has been in PC for 7 years, has 42-44 employees, not high paying jobs but steady and allows people to live here. Yet no incentives, no tax breaks, neither from the city nor the county! Nothing! If anything County is actually overcharging for Ad Valorem taxes by overpricing 100% depreciated equipment by $25,000 and then giving them tax deduction of $25,000! Pure crooks!
The thing is they don’t complain, professionals just do their jobs, crooks BS you and go for promises and incentives! And politicians like publicity in a form of “nothing to see here” articles like this one!
To Jack Howell:
Sir, I remember voting for you because you promised to look into PC books and find waste and do your best to curb it. How’s that going on? Your article about THAT sure shall be appreciated by many!
And the homeless issue too. A good friend of mine has been recently verbally harassed by a group of homeless sitting on a curb of Publix plaza on Palm Coast pkwy. She went to City Hall administrators and talked to couple of staffers there but her impression was nothing is being done about it. It’s all about them “human beings”, not safety of the residents! Hope flaglerlive will post an article when someone will get rapped or god forbid worse! Is that what you are all waiting for?!
Mary Fusco says
Hey John, I read the article. 20 freakin jobs within five years at $36,000 per year. What is the cost of living going to be five years from now??? Like I originally said. Cheap labor. No company is going to pay more than the going rate for this area.
Beverly Hanson says
How can you possibly think this is a good deal for the city, county or residents? Can you afford to live anywhere on $36,000. We need to bring real businesses with viable saleries into this county. This deal sounds like a poor decision.
Concerned Citizen says
This looks and smells like another Palm Coast Data deal. Remember how that turned out? And I believe PCD still owes money for deals not being followed thru.
With technology going the way it is Magazine labels and Mail order is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Go digital or go broke. If you keep pursuing antiquated busniess practices that’s what will happen.