Machine Company Moving To Hernando

Jeff Roth, owner of Chasco Machine and Manufacturing Inc. in New Port Richey, said Hernando County made him a relocation offer he just couldn't refuse.

To move to his new site at the Hernando County Airport Industrial Park, Roth will receive $105,000 in incentives, a building custom-made to his specifications and a partnership with one of the high schools.

Roth said he was also impressed with the county's business and government leaders for being so accommodating and for their commitment to industry.

Roth said Chasco has outgrown its building near U.S. 19 and Ridge Road in Pasco County.

The new building his company will lease on Spring Hill Drive, west of the National Guard Armory, will have 24,800 square feet. A second, 4,000-square-foot building will accommodate his corporate operations, shipping and inventory.

Roth expects to start operations around April 2009.

The Chasco parcel is part of the 90,000 square feet of speculative industrial and commercial buildings currently under construction and being developed by Regent Properties.

Roth will negotiate a lease contract with Regent for use of the building, which is valued at an estimated $1.5 million, according to the Office of Business Development.

Roth said he is committed to Hernando County for the long haul. He is considering buying a home in Southern Hills, south of Brooksville.

Chasco Machine and Manufacturing makes precision parts primarily for the aerospace industry, including Boeing 737 commercial aircraft.

The company will relocate its 17 employees to Hernando County. It plans to add another 10 workers, said Michael McHugh, director of the Hernando County Office of Business Development.

The average wages of the new jobs will be $32,000 to $35,000, he said.

In the nine years he has owned Chasco Machine and Manufacturing, Roth has developed several processes used in the precision machining industry, including "lights out" operations - the ability to produce parts in the evening hours.

McHugh said Roth will be active in the proposed engineering academy at Nature Coast Technical High School, which will feature curriculum supporting the kind of specialized equipment used by Chasco.

County commissioners in October expanded the county's business incentive program to attract diverse industry to Hernando County.

To qualify, companies must offer higher-than-average wages and no money will be given out until the firm is here for one year.

McHugh said $75,000 will go to Chasco over a five-year period. That money comes from the county's general fund.

Hernando Progress Inc., a private, nonprofit business group dedicated to economic development, will offer a $30,000 grant to help offset Chasco's relocation expenses.

"Chasco is making a 'significant investment' in moving here," McHugh said.

John Walsh, vice president of the Pasco County Economic Development Council, said Roth started in Pasco County with a small operation in 2000 that has grown out of its current location.

"He needed an existing building to move into and we just didn't have what he needed," Walsh said.

Walsh said that while he dislikes seeing Roth leave Pasco, at least he's is staying in the Tampa bay area.