Mayor Rick Kriseman has selected two companies to expand business operations in the Commerce Park area of North Midtown near 22nd Street South. The two companies, EMP Industries and Euro Cycles, are expected to bring 65 new jobs to the area.
The addition also satisfies federal job creation criteria for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The area where the businesses will operate are also part of the newly formed Southside Community Redevelopment Area.
“The Commerce Park has been a focus of my administration,” Kriseman said. “I am pleased we have attracted these outstanding businesses to the area. I am particularly looking forward to the final lease negotiations with these two companies.”
EMP Industries, a marine supply company, will create 50 of the total jobs by leading a mixed-use development project in coordination with two other businesses – ACCMAR Equipment from Miami and ATTAJ Energy from Spain. The project will include workforce housing and retail along 22nd Street South. The trio will develop 10.6 acres of the 14-acre Commerce Park site. The EMP Industries addition and its partners are also part of the city’s “Grow Smarter Strategy.”
“We are very excited to develop the St. Petersburg Commerce Park, with new and modern manufacturing space for our industrial occupants to grow their businesses in St. Petersburg and generate jobs within the community,” said Tom Callahan, president of EMP Industries. “The blend of specialty and marine manufacturing, with retail and residential elements will be a great fit in the areas, complementing the Deuces Live Main Street and the ArtsXchange. We believe strongly in the potential for specialty manufacturing in St. Petersburg with the geographic advantages and the resources the city and community offer for business growth.”
The other company, Euro Cycles, is a motorcycle sales, repair and trading business. The new site in Commerce Park will be the company’s second location. The original is in Hillsborough County. Euro Cycles will create 15 new jobs.
“I am honored to be given the chance to help make St. Petersburg’s already amazing arts and culture scene even better by bringing high end European motorcycles and scooters to the local area,” said Aaron Sprague from Euro Cycles.
From here the city will finalize the development agreement with the two companies. City Council approval is required for the final negotiations.
“Working with local companies to locate and expand in South St. Petersburg to benefit our residents and the surrounding neighborhood has been the Mayor’s goal from day one,” said city development administrator Alan DeLisle. “This is very good news for the St. Petersburg economy.”
