SPRING HILL — Back in December 2022, the Pasco Economic Development Council (EDC) persuaded Gary Plastic Packaging Corp., also known as Garyline, to move its operations from The Bronx in New York City to Pasco County, and the firm is almost ready to begin operations at its new facility on Shady Hills Road.
First, though, it is seeking 500 workers at all levels to get the operation ready to go. The company scheduled two job fairs — one on Jan. 13 and a second to be held Jan. 27, for applicants.
It should not have problems finding new hires. The Jan. 13 fair was scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m., but hopeful job seekers started lining up at 11:30 a.m., and at 5 p.m. there was still a line that ran the length of the building. The more than 1,500 people with resumes in hand ranged from neophytes looking for their first job to one man who told the Suncoast News he had 46 years of experience in advanced positions in manufacturing.
According to an EDC press release, 184 of the open jobs will pay 125 percent of the average wage in the county. Positions include administration and sales, quality control, manufacturing and molding, printing and production, and purchasing and scheduling. When the EDC first announced the company’s move, it said 555 jobs would be provided over a 3-year period.
The company describes itself as environmentally friendly, with its products averaging 30 percent recycled plastic resins and its R&D department continually researching how to incorporate more plant-based materials in its product lines: promotional products (made of plastic) and packaging. The latter comprises rigid plastic containers that are reusable and used mostly in pharmaceuticals, the dental industry and electronics. It also produces inserts and imprints.
The company will be housed in a new building in the also-new North Pasco Corporate Center off Softwind Lane in Spring Hill. Gary Plastics is leasing 440,000 square feet of a 600,000-square-foot building developed by Harrod Properties. In a press release, the EDC said Harrod was investing $50 million in the building, land and infrastructure, and Gary Plastics is investing $16 million in equipment, furniture and other fixtures to create “a modern state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.”
Pasco County provided financial incentives for the company to relocate here, including ad valorem (property) tax reimbursement, job creation incentives of up to $552,000, a high-impact job creation bonus of $306,000, and $100,000 in discretionary training funds through Penny for Pasco. The EDC said it helped the company with expedited permitting.
Interested applicants are invited to a second job fair at the facility on Jan. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m., but they can also apply online. For a list of job openings and to apply online, visit https://hubs.ly/Q02fHzKt0.
Pat Morris is a staff writer for the Suncoast News. She can be reached at pmorris@suncoastnews.com.
