Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Escambia commissioners back resolution of support for Field International Group, citing high‑wage manufacturing jobs
Summary
The board approved a nonbinding resolution of support for Field International Group (Project Britain) to pursue a 10‑year ad valorem tax exemption (EDATE) for phase 1: $8 million machinery investment and 50 jobs averaging about $80,000; commissioners sought training alignment, oversight and clawback details.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a nonbinding resolution of support for Project Britain, led by Field International Group, allowing the company to proceed with formal applications for an economic development ad valorem tax exemption (EDATE).
County economic development staff said the requested resolution covers phase 1 of the project and would relate to approximately $8 million in machinery and equipment and about 50 initial jobs with an average wage described by company representatives as near $80,000. Company representatives said they plan to hire locally and would use a range of salaries—ranging in examples given from about $40,000 up to $150,000 depending on position—and that the majority of CNC‑machining roles would be closer to $80,000.
Commissioners asked for specifics on local hiring, workforce training alignment and oversight. Commissioner questions focused on whether the company would recruit locally, how many of the positions would be higher‑paid professional jobs versus production roles, and how the county would enforce commitments tied to an EDATE. The county’s economic development staff said the resolution of support is a preliminary, nonbinding signal of intent; if the company files a full EDATE application, the county will conduct public hearings and the board will consider a formal ordinance. Staff said EDATE approvals are performance based and noted the board can repeal an EDATE ordinance if the company fails to meet commitments.
County staff said previous EDATEs on the books include Navy Federal and Southtown Apartments; last fiscal year the county forgave roughly $3.5 million in property taxes under EDATEs between those projects. Commissioners also discussed training alignment with Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida to prepare a qualified local workforce.
The board moved and adopted the resolution of support by a recorded 5–0 vote, authorizing staff to continue due diligence and to permit the company to advance to state review and formal EDATE application steps.
