The Council for Economic Outreach (CEO) is pleased to welcome Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. (BES) to Alachua County. BES will create 15 jobs with an average wage of at least $40,000. This comes in the midst of economic uncertainty amid a continued push toward clean energy independence.The existing facility and machinery, located at Phoenix Commercial Park on US Hwy 441, will undergo an update suitable for the company’s development and manufacture of lithium-ion cells for rechargeable batteries. Renovations and upgrades to the facility are expected to cost approximately $10 million and will occur over a two-year period. Brent Christensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Council for Economic Outreach, noted that CEO has been working to recruit BES since October 2009.
“Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. was naturally attracted to Alachua County by the valuable equipment housed at Phoenix Commercial Park, and we pledge to assist in nurturing this company to new heights by connecting it to the area’s innovative resources in technology, advanced workforce development and unparalleled quality of life,” Christensen said.The company considered other areas throughout North America and Asia, ultimately choosing Florida and Phoenix Commercial Park. "Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. is a perfect fit for Phoenix Commercial Park, as Phoenix focuses on becoming the center of exciting new energy product research and manufacturing in the southeast," said Lisa Albertson, landlord of the facility.
"We are very fortunate to have a tenant like Bren-Tronics, a strong company with a grounded business philosophy. It is our belief that the company's presence in Alachua County is a very positive move toward drawing other clean energy partners to this area. We would like to thank the CEO group and the Alachua County Commissioners for their support." Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. will be eligible to receive $82,500 in performance-based economic development tax rebate incentives to locate here, 20 percent of which will originate from Alachua County. Richard Drummond, Alachua County Assistant County Manager, said, “Bren-Tronics' decision to locate portions of its research and manufacturing operations to Alachua County is a significant milestone. This provides new jobs in a growth segment of the economy that represents innovation and alternative energy development. In addition, the facility being occupied by Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. contains valuable lithium-ion manufacturing equipment unique to North America and the United States. This will allow for the retention of that equipment locally resulting in the export rather than import of lithium-ion cells, and providing for future expansion of this market segment.”