Arthrex splits the baby

After months of speculation and political theater, Arthrex recently announced it would expand in both Collier and Lee counties.

The Naples-based manufacturer of arthroscopic and orthopedic surgical equipment says it will build a new facility on Oil Well Road in eastern Collier County and buy a warehouse near Daniels Parkway in Lee County, spending $35 million on the effort.

Collier economic development boosters must be breathing a sigh of relief, even though they lost out on the warehouse and distribution facility to Lee County. The news could have been much worse for Collier because Arthrex is one of the largest companies on the Gulf Coast with $970 million in revenues in 2010 and more than 1,500 employees.