By Ken Belshe
I was shocked when I read this week’s FlaglerLive article regarding the closing of Brunswick Corp.’s Boston Whaler plant in Palm Coast—for the second time in under eight years. This is a terrible blow to our community and is especially devastating to the 300 families relying on a Brunswick paycheck.
It was alarming to learn of Brunswick’s arrogance and lack of respect for our community and local leaders in hearing that with Flagler Beach’s exception, the company only notified them at the same time employees were told on Wednesday.
In my opinion, this is a situation where our community must go down swinging. We cannot simply allow Brunswick to shut the doors, abandon our community, and move on elsewhere.
This isn’t the first time Flagler County has been put in this position. We cheered when Brunswick returned after closing once before, investing taxpayer resources and community goodwill in welcoming them back. Now, once again, we are faced with the prospect of a shuttered plant and broken promises. At what point do we as a community stand behind our leaders and say hell no, you can’t go?
Perhaps negotiations are currently happening behind closed doors. But there needs to be a sign of the community’s willingness to fight to keep these jobs here. Our leaders face many challenges, but right now they need to hear loud and clear that the community backs them in insisting that Brunswick keep the jobs here. We didn’t welcome the company back with fanfare just to see it leave another empty shell behind.
At the very least, Brunswick should understand that they will be facing a public relations nightmare as our community exposes them for taking advantage of our economic development work and incentives. After intense and lengthy negotiations, if they do not agree to keep the plant open, they should be forced to deed the property for free to Flagler County or the City of Flagler Beach on their way out of town, so that it can be resold to one of their competitors, with the proceeds of the sale divided among the workers who are losing their jobs.
Other questions that should be asked of Brunswick immediately: What would it take to keep the jobs here? Even more importantly, what would it take to relocate all the Edgewater jobs up to Flagler County instead of the other way around? Give us a proposal and let us see if we can make it happen. We should also know what incentives Volusia County offered Brunswick, if any, to relocate the jobs to Edgewater.
This closure isn’t just about 300 jobs. It’s about community, it’s about the restaurants, retail stores, schools, churches, county and city governments and the dozens of industries that rely upon these jobs to help create a strong tax base. Most importantly, it’s about the families who gave up options for other careers and instead built their lives here around the promise of a long-term Boston Whaler job.
Beyond the immediate economic hit, losing a manufacturer of this scale sends the wrong signal to other potential employers. Our county and city leaders have worked hard to attract and retain good jobs, and any closure like this makes it harder to build the stable, diverse economy we need.
Flagler County, Flagler Beach, and Palm Coast invest taxpayer dollars in economic development for situations exactly like this. It is unacceptable for a company to take advantage of our resources, uproot families and walk away without accountability. Brunswick owes this community more than a press release and a moving truck.
We are not powerless. Our leaders can and likely will press Brunswick for answers, demand negotiations, explore incentives, and make clear that leaving is not an option. Period. And as a community, we must make sure our leaders know we have their backs in this fight.
Let’s send a clear message to Brunswick: absolutely not. You cannot come and go at will, leaving Flagler families and businesses in the lurch. Not after everything this community has done to support you. This time, we stand together to say enough is enough.
Ken Belshe is a principal with Sunbelt Land Management, the developer of Veranda Bay in Flagler Beach.
Wow says
I don’t think any business can guarantee employees this: “ built their lives here around the promise of a long-term Boston Whaler job.”
Roger Hobieth says
If the company accepted incentives to operate in Flagler Beach there may be grounds for reimbursement otherwise its a free country (I hope), if the facility isn’t economically feasible for the company they can’t be forced to continue the operation !
Gary says
Pontieri knew about this months ago and said and did nothing to stop it. 300 jobs going. Tax money going . Local eateries losing orders. Quote our local council. We need industry here for jobs. We have them then they go away. Could it be the city is run by 4 I have no idea what I am doing ? Or care ? I want to run for congress with no idea of how. I want to run for senate with no idea. Oh I vote for stuff then claim I didn’t . I vote for what ever the builders want. We only have one that wants to clean up the phoiney acts on council. The mayor is in their way to help the parasite builders . Geee. Council what’s In it for me ? They the 4 don’t give a crap about us.
Fernando Melendez says
If they are not locked in a binding agreement with the county or city, then it becomes purely a financial decision and returns on their investment are not there. No one can stop them from moving period. And again I’ve said it before, our leadership seems to have a hard time bringing in outside bigger businesses let alone keeping them here.
Dennis C Rathsam says
The lady that wants a new job…What else does she know?
jason barton says
Everyone loves capitalism . . . until it’s your job at stake.
TR says
Well I guess someone just likes to stir the pot. Mr. Beshe, apparently you don’t understand business as much as you think. People are not buying luxury priced play toys (Luxury boats) so to speak. They are also not moving here with the over priced new homes and all the developments that are under construction right now. So I guess you must think that if Boston Whaler plants stays open in Flagler, those people working their would buy one on your homes in the Veranda Bay development you’re building a few miles away, good luck with that. As far as getting Boston Whaler to stay here and close the Edgewater plant down goes. That isn’t going to happen either when (I believe) the Edgewater plant is their main corporation and manufacturing hub. Maybe stick to building your over priced homes and don’t worry about trying to stir the pot with the residence of Flagler so to speak. Greed isn’t a good luck on some people.
Biz isn't easy when big dogs leave.. says
I remember once upon a time I did work for ITT-CDC. They pulled out and left me in a bind. Yep closure of a long term biz…. Flagler Printers. Community Development Corp. Couldn’t sell enough homes … Had to let go of 12 people…ended up closing down after a good fight with many friends helping…
Mike P says
Boston Whaler is physically in Palm Coast. Does anyone think our Palm Coast leadership would do anything but screw up any kind of negotiations with Brunswick?? And like Fernando stated “If they are not locked in a binding agreement with the county or city, then it becomes purely a financial decision and returns on their investment are not there” he is correct. They have the right to sell off their property to what ever company they wish. It’s a shame the the City of Palm Coast and Flagler Beach didn’t do anything with incentives, or binding agreements to prevent this from happening.
Pig Farmer says
The economy sucks, boats are a luxury. This business decision is not hard to understand. Saying they should not be allowed make a business decision is a lot like Russia or China. We are closer than you think.
Hard Hat says
Ya know with all of that dribble above you just described communism.
JOE BLOW says
BOOT LICKERS THATS IT
Deborah Coffey says
Threats and bullying won’t get you very far in a capitalist society. It’s a financial decision on the part of Boston Whaler.
“We cannot simply allow Brunswick to shut the doors”
“hell no, you can’t go”
“they will be facing a public relations nightmare as our community exposes them for taking advantage of our economic development work and incentives”
“insisting that Brunswick keep the jobs here”
“Let’s send a clear message to Brunswick: absolutely not. You cannot come and go at will, leaving Flagler families and businesses in the lurch.”
Land of no turn signals says says
Palm Coast Data was locked into an agreement with the city and broke it,so did they pay the city the thousands of dollars owed?I bet not.
PeachesMcGee says
It’s called business.
Did they break any laws? No.
Ya’ll just want to be butthurt about something.
JS says
I agree that it’s disappointing to have this business leave town, but to suggest that we shouldn’t “allow” a private business to relocate just blows my mind. Would the writer prefer living in a communist country?
Tommy says
I worked for sea ray years ago ! Burnswick treats their employees like dirt ! I worked on the second shift as a tool technician. I can hurt twice in there, and it was like a big joke to them.! The second time I got hurt in there I ended up a chemical burns from my neck all the way down to my butt. I should’ve sued them after I lost my job never again they’re not good. Company to work for !
Lance Carroll says
To: Biz isn’t easy..
Jay.. you had a chance to stay. You chose to go away to a far off land.
Lance Carroll
FitzKilmarnock says
How much did this cost We The Taxpayers, all in all?
Anyone know, offhand?
Bill says
As far as job creation or retention goes, Palm Coast is not doing well. The fuel depot and the concrete plant were rejected by the council after a public uproar. And now Boston Whaler is leaving. That sounds like about 400 jobs in total. Not exactly a stellar record. Daytona Beach seems to have better luck in attracting business to their city. Are we missing something in our approach?
Greg says
Understand, that Brunswick could care less about the community. Its only goal is to make as much profit as it can for the stick holders. It’s sad for the employees who will lose out, but I’m sure they care little about that. Sad, but that’s corporate America
FionaLi says
Love that a huge developer recommends Flagler County forcing a business property owner to give away their property to the County.
T says
They are tired of all that winning jk its tariffs
Mike says
Seriously. Using this economic setback to chastise a single Palm Coast Commissioner. How about the mayor or maybe the city manager…..purely a business decision made by a company that finds itself squeezed by producing a luxury product during an economic downturn. Let’s review who affects that economy….
T says
Hard hat you are we know
Mr. David says
Ken, step up to the plate for the county and all the disenfranchised workers! You could provide hundreds of homes from your development at no cost to the unemployed! After the environmental disaster that is Veranda Bay, it would be the least you could do.
Jay Gardner says
The “Sea Ray” boat plant property is located in the unincorporated area of our county. As such, it is not subject to the jurisdiction of Palm Coast or Flagler Beach. Not getting into the details of the article, but I believe Mr Belshe’s point is that we should support keeping this employer in our county and to build support for our county commissioners to try and do just that.
Just sayin says
Have you seen what these boats are selling for?? Sadly, people are being squeezed too hard and luxury item sales are going to suffer. That’s just life. The other issue here is that this community doesn’t treat new business very well. We don’t welcome them, we have a reputation for nastiness here.
Just take a look at the tone of this article and the comments it generates. We specialize in nastiness and pile ons. Would you want to move your company here? Everything is a fight. You don’t want your taxes raised but have no idea that it is companies like this one who pay a major portion of those taxes. The same with the beach. Get out your checkbooks. You can’t have it both ways.
Why would anyone want to move their business here or keep it here under these circumstances? We have lost several under this climate.
Joyce Huber says
Boating on the Intercoastal Waterway used to mean you could get out into the ocean just north of Marineland, but a large sandbar that seems to be getting larger makes that currently impossible. Now you have to go all the way to St Augustine…too far for most small boats out for an afternoon jaunt.
Also, Marine Patrol stops boaters for unimportant checks…or at least they were doing so last time I owned a boat. Plus, boats are expensive for a senior community living on social security.
Shaking my head & rolling my eyes . . . says
Hmmmm…..I’m not convinced that the writer of this article has authentic opinions on the closing of this business.
“Ken Belshe is a principal with Sunbelt Land Management, the developer of Veranda Bay in Flagler Beach.”
He also owns all he land on Colbert Lane from Rt100 to Roberts Rd.
And, don’t forget owning the all the land on the west side John Anderson Hwy.
Plus much, much more.
Don’t be fooled by the different company names as property owners, they all have the same mailing address.
I have a feeling that he’ll scoop up that boat property for his own personal business benefit.
He must be want his land ownership portfolio in Flagler County to reach 10,000+ acres . . . .
To all be developed of course $$$$$$
John F Walsh says
Tariffs. Thanks MAGA.
. says
you people voted for this economy, maybe instead of trying to claw out some welfare reparations from private businesses you people should reflect on your decision making.
Just sayin says
@John F. Walsh,
20% inflation rates under the Biden Administration. Not many new boats being built or sold under those rates.
Thanks, Dems!
Bama says
Will now y’all say how sorry it is for them to leave now if I remember they made alot of noise and the smell from the plant now they are gone and you are up set Palm coast don’t know what they want