Pasco grants $958,206 in economic incentives to plastics manufacturer

December 6, 2022

Tampa Bay Times

NEW PORT RICHEY — With hopes of adding another high-impact, job-producing
manufacturer, the Pasco County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved
up to $958,206 in economic development incentives for Gary Plastic Packaging
Corporation to move part of its operation from the Bronx to Pasco County.
The company hopes to provide 555 new jobs over the next several years. It would
move portions of its New York-based operation to 279,000 square feet of a
440,000-square-foot industrial building under construction by Harrod Properties
on Shady Hills Road west of the the Suncoast Parkway.
Two industrial buildings are planned for the site with one already committed to
other companies, said Pasco County Economic Growth Manager David Engel. Site
work is underway and construction should start soon, he said.

Gary Plastic is expected to make $66.4 million in investments to the industrial
space over the next three years. Once operating, the new site will generate a
payroll of $22 million and contribute an estimated $102 million to the county
economy. For every $1 in public money, the new company will generate an impact
of $105.55, according to the background material provided to commissioners.
Engel said that the project has been in the works for four years as the company has
sought an appropriate location and a building to house its operation.
Two product lines, promotional products and packaging, and the company’s
executive offices will move to the new site, The 184 jobs that qualified the
company economic incentives will provide an average salary of $54,326, which is
125 percent of Pasco’s average wage.

The company’s website shows that it manufactures a variety of plastic container
products ranging from clear hinged plastic compartment boxes to syringe holders.
The site states that the company has been in business since 1963 and has more
than 500 workers in over 300,000 square feet of offices, manufacturing and
warehouse space.

“The company has been awarded 15 government contracts for producing the
containers and parts for U.S. Treasury Liberty Coin and Proof Set Packaging,” the
company website states.
“Welcome,” said Pasco County Commission chairperson Jack Mariano, who asked
whether the company uses recycled materials. Gary Plastic Plastic Corporation
President Richard Hellinger said that it does. Mariano said he hopes that Pasco’s
recyling program can work with him.
“We’re super excited to expand our operation into Pasco County from New York,”
Hellinger told commissioners.
“We will get you plugged in” with the manufacturing community and training
programs, said Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, a strong supporter of AmSkills, a
training program that prepares the workforce for local industries.

The incentive package to Gary Plastic Packaging will include a portion for the jobs
it creates, dollars because the number of jobs create a high impact and funds for
employee training. All of the incentives are performance-based and would be
awarded over time based on performance benchmarks.
In addition to the financial incentives, Pasco officials have also agreed to expedited
permitting review for the project.