Sarasota, state offer $200K to woo companies

SARASOTA — State and local officials have committed what could be more than $200,000 in financial aid to two companies considering Sarasota for a new headquarters.

One firm, an engineering and environmental consulting business, is primed to receive $144,000, according to Sarasota County documents. The project, under the code name Project Kennedy, is split between $120,000 from the state's Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund and a local match of 20%.

The company has committed to creating 30 fulltime jobs with an average annual wage of at least $61,316, according to a statement from the Sarasota County office of Business and Economic Development. The company, the statement adds, says incentives are “essential in its decision to locate to Sarasota.”