INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $77,000 job grant tied to the creation of 20 new jobs at Girard Equipment, Inc. on Old Dixie Highway north of 41st Street in the county’s enterprise zone.
Community Development Director Bob Keating recommended approval of the funds, which will be paid annually over a three-year period on a job-by-job basis after jobs have been in place for one year.
“One good thing about these job grants is that they are pay-for-performance type funds,” said Keating.
Girard Equipment makes valves, vents, gauges, hoses and other equipment for the tank truck and airline and petroleum industries. The company received a $7,200 job grant from the county as an enticement to move to the area in 2007 based on a promise to create six jobs.
“They ended up creating 27 jobs,” Keating told commissioners. “And now they plan to expand into an adjacent unused packing house and add 20 more jobs.”
The expansion is expected to be split into three phases.
“These jobs grants, I think, are one of the things this commission likes to give out,” said Commission Chair Bob Solari. “It’s a sign of developing business.”
Girard Manufacturing President Tim Girard said 90 percent of the equipment his company manufactures in Vero Beach is shipped out of state, including 20 percent that goes overseas to China, Japan, Singapore and Europe.
He also said he represents the third generation of family leadership for the 60-year-old company, which has offices and manufacturing facilities in several other states, including New Jersey and Texas.
Online Editor Debbie Carson contributed to this report.
