Raleigh, NC - The 13-year-old Boating Industry Services (BIS) program of the NC SBTDC has successfully aligned with the NC Department of Commerce (NC
DOC) to create an effective boating industry recruiting partnership. This collaborative effort has resulted in luring the highly-respected Florida Marine Tanks to Vance County. 

Founded in 1974 by industry pioneer Vincent DiRosa, Florida Marine Tanks is a manufacturer of fuel, water, and holding tanks for the boating industry.
The $10 million company will make Henderson its third manufacturing location, creating 100 jobs and investing $2 million during the next three years. Headquartered in Miami, with a manufacturing site in Dexter, Mo., Florida Marine Tanks is purchasing two buildings in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park with about 83,000 sq. ft. of production space, and will begin operations by spring 2007.  The majority of the new jobs will be skilled production positions, and while individual wages will vary greatly, the average weekly wage of the positions will be $455 plus benefits. 

 "A North Carolina facility will enable us to better serve the marine industry," said Rosemarie Fiori, president of Florida Marine Tanks Inc. "We thank the state and Vance County for their support." 

Florida Marine Tanks received a $50,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants require and are contingent upon a local match. Through the use of this Fund, more than 20,000 jobs and $3 billion in investment have been created since 2001.

Combining 15 years of boating industry experience, SBTDC Boating Industry Services Director Mike Bradley is known in the industry and has leads and contacts that keep him apprised of relocation activity in boat building and boat product manufacturing companies nationally and internationally. Jay Tilley, Retention and Expansion Specialist, has the considerable resources of the Department of Commerce in a state known for its boating enterprise.
Together, they provide confidentially to the prospects and statewide access to resources in all 100 counties including buildings, building sites, workforce, and incentive packages - all focused on the requirements of the prospective company.

North Carolina's boating industry is a heritage industry with strong growth potential. With over 100 companies building boats, and over 3,000 product and service companies, the state is growing a cluster of business-connected companies that greatly benefit from the proximity of quality products, materials and services necessary for every facet of boat building. Add the economies offered by keeping the transportation costs lower by networking within the state, and the prospects for continuing growth of this industry is strong.

The SBTDC is North Carolina's business and technology extension service. It is administered by North Carolina State University on behalf of The University of North Carolina System, and operated in partnership in partnership and with funding support from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Defense Logistics Agency, the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The SBTDC provides business counseling and management education services to business throughout North Carolina from 17 offices across the State.  

For more information about Florida Marine Tanks, visit www.floridamarinetanks.com. To learn more about the NC boating industry and the SBTDC Boating Industry Services, visit www.NCwaterways.com.  To find out more about NC business recruitment services, visit www.investnc.com