Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves expanded Bones Coffee incentive after debate over jobs and funding
Summary
Council approved an amended incentive package for Bones Coffee, increasing the city's share to 10% of the revised $27.3 million project (an additional ~$689,600) after discussion about job retention/creation and funding sources; vote was 7–1 with one dissent.
Cape Coral — The City Council voted Dec. 10 to amend a previously approved incentive for Bones Coffee after the company increased its project scope and cost. The council’s roll-call vote recorded seven ayes and one nay (Councilmember Gunter).
Mayor summarized the earlier package: the city had earlier offered roughly $2.04 million on a $25.8 million project (about 7.91%). Bones asked for an additional $689,602 after the project’s revised cost rose to about $27.3 million, a change that would raise the city's contribution to 10% under the new proposal.
Economic Development Manager Sharon Woodbury outlined the city’s rationale: Bones currently employs 75 local workers and expects to add about 55 positions; the company’s average wage was presented in council backup as $39.46 per hour, roughly 40% above the local average. Woodbury said the project would create a regional headquarters and distribution footprint that could grow the company's national operations, delivering broader economic-development benefits.
Council members pressed for consistency and for guarantees tied to job creation. Councilmember Donnell asked whether the additional jobs would be guaranteed and whether they would be filled by Cape Coral residents; Woodbury said there is no absolute guarantee in the incentive for job counts but that some performance measures and staggered reimbursements over five years are typical. Council discussed whether to rely on the incentive reserve (a designated reserve within the general fund) rather than general operating funds; staff clarified payments would come from the city’s incentive reserve established by financial policy.
After debate about consistency with prior practice and the project’s economic benefits, council approved the amended incentive package by roll call (7 ayes, 1 nay). Council directed staff to implement the amendment under the city’s incentive program and monitor performance metrics as provided in the agreement.
