Alachua County’s new economy leaped forward at two spots with deep business roots on Wednesday for an overall bright, balmy “chamber of commerce day.”
In a field that once held hogs headed for slaughter at Copeland Sausage Co., several hundred guests heard Gov. Rick Scott celebrate the groundbreaking of a new $135 million R&D and production plant for pharmaceutical company Nanotherapeutics, Inc.
Afterward, Scott traveled to a ribbon cutting for the new southeast regional headquarters of branding company 160over90, located at what was one of downtown Gainesville’s early gas stations.
“This is a good news day for Alachua County and Florida,” said Scott, noting that the state has added 365,000 jobs since he took office two and a half years ago.
Mitch Glaeser, chairman of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, announced another accomplishment. The chamber’s goal of adding 1,200 jobs and $5 million in capital investment three years ago has been eclipsed
“Nanotherapeutics’ $135 million investment is 27 times our $5 million goal,” Glaeser said.
Along with Scott and other speakers at both events, Glaeser noted that years of work had built the foundation for economic development.
For the city of Alachua, that work began after the sausage plant closed and put many people out of work in 1976, Mayor Gib Coerper noted.
“The city lost 44 percent of its revenue and was on the brink of disaster,” he said.
Afterwards, the city worked to diversify its economy so that it would no longer be dependent on one employer.
“We’re on the same grounds today that taught us a lesson we have never forgotten,” he said.
The Nanotherapeutics facility was created through a biodefense contract awarded by the Department of Defense in March. It will enable rapid development of new medications to protect and treat members of the military against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks as well as outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Philadelphia-based 160over90’s clients include American Eagle Outfitters, Nike, Mercedes-Benz, the Miami Dolphins and Sony.
The company discovered the benefits of Gainesville after the University of Florida hired it to develop a new branding program, said CEO and Principal Shannon Price Slusher.
160over90 chose Gainesville over Miami, Charlotte and Atlanta for its southeast regional headquarters because the community met all of its criteria: a great geographic location, a strong creative and technology heartbeat, and a unique identity that has a passion for growth and diversity, he said.
“It’s a huge, huge honor to be here,” Slusher told the several dozen people who attended the ribbon-cutting. “When we opened in the City of Brotherly Love, the only person who showed up was someone from licensing and inspections who told us our sign wasn’t right.”
Slusher credited Susan Davenport, the chamber’s vice president for economic development, for “aggressively” recruiting him.
“She wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” he said.
The company is confident it can both attract employees to the area and hire UF grads.
“People want to work in a great college city,” Slusher said.