- May 11, 2024
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An Ormond Beach-based manufacturer of gas detective devices will be expanding to a 30,000 square-foot facility at the Airport Business Park this summer, a move the company said will allow it to grow its office production and warehousing capabilities, in addition to its training and service offerings.
CO2Meter, Inc. has been in business since 2006 and its main products focus on carbon dioxide monitoring, among other gases such as nitrogen, argon and helium. According to a press release, the company services a broad spectrum of markets including restaurants, indoor agriculture, brewing, welding, gas distribution, and indoor air quality, among others. CO2Meter has collaborated with companies such as Chipotle, Wendy's, Linde, GE, Delta Airlines, Walgreens, NASA and Harvard University.
On Tuesday, June 7, the Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously approved via its consent agenda the allocation of up to $84,412 in growth assistance funding for CO2Meter's expansion to 105 Runway Drive. This was important, said Joshua Pringle, CO2Meter vice president of business development.
"Their willingness to provide this package is really an indicator that they want CO2Meter and businesses like ours to be in Ormond and stay in Ormond," Pringle said.
"There's a tremendous value in making sure that the businesses that are already here and operating here and employing here have the resources they need to be successful."
Brian Rademacher, city Economic Development director
The funding, according to a city memo, is structured as a performance-based incentive program. City Economic Director Brian Rademacher said this means CO2Meter will receive the dollars once the company has seen through the $3 million construction and buildout of its new facility.The agreement outlines that $42,412 of the total sum is designated as a maximum property tax reimbursement for the first five years of the project. The incentive is also meant to help the company retain 19 employees.
"The fact that they're establishing their headquarters here and then generally as we've seen over the course of the program's existence, it's really helped local companies in particular expand their operations, which increases job opportunities here within the city," Rademacher said.
The city's Economic Development Department has a Business Retention and Expansion program where staff visits local companies routinely to see how business is fairing, and if there is anything the city may help them with regarding future needs.
"There's a tremendous value in making sure that the businesses that are already here and operating here and employing here have the resources they need to be successful," Rademacher said.
The city estimates CO2Meter's expansion will contribute a net benefit estimated at $229,442 to the city over a 10 year period, as it will result in more jobs, the modernization of industrial facilities, as well as increases in property values and tax revenue to the city.
The commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, June 7, recognized CO2Meter's impact on the community. Mayor Bill Partington said the global reach the company, as well as the various sectors they serve.
"We're proud as a city to have you all working and producing a product in our city that does all of that," he said.
From a company standpoint, one of the crucial aspect of moving their offices from 131 Business enter Drive in Ormond Beach to the Airport Business Park is the ability to have all their employees under the same roof, Pringle explained.
"The other piece that I think is really critical for us, especially as a manufacturer, is to get the business physically laid out where it makes sense," Pringle said. "Where we're going to receive goods in one place and we're going to test goods in one place and then it's going to go out another door when it ships. The layout is much more functional for us than what we have today."
With a total workforce of just under 25 people, he added that retention was important for the company, all across the board.
"[Employees] are the backbone of what we do," said Pringle, who has been with the company for almost nine years. "Their product knowledge is so critical to us having a coherent and cohesive business, and a business strategy. Retaining those employees that we have and then attracting new employees as we need them is vital for us."
CEO Travis Lenander said in a company press release that the company looks forward to opening its new facility, a need that was accelerated by their acquisition of GasLab.com. In 2016, the company was awarded the "Florida Companies to Watch" award.
“For more than 15 years we have built a solid foundation for the CO2Meter business as well as finding
and retaining the most talented employees in our industry," said Lenander in the press release. "We recognize that our employees are at the forefront of our business and are a true testament of our success. It’s their leadership, abilities, knowledge, experience, and passion for the industry that cannot be replaced. And, while we appreciate being recognized as leaders in gas detection by our customers and partners, we work daily to continue to earn that trust and respect by improving our products, developing new solutions and creating a strong team culture."
