Port of Pensacola Economic Development Initiative: Rock em' Sock em' Robots

Supporters and Opponents of the potential Incoa Performance Minerals, Inc. Port of Pensacola economic development proposal are sending out opposing emails delineating their respective opinions and concerns....

In a series of emails the commissioners have recently received, It appears that battle lines are being drawn over the potential deal with Incoa, Inc. to bring roughly 70 jobs to the port, paying an average salary of $60K yearly, along with  a $100 Million Dollar capital investment commitment.

It will be interesting to watch this discussion.  It would be fantastic if a compromise could be reached on this to keep the company and also some sort of a mixed use of the port as well.  We will see how it evolves....

From an email sent out in support of this deal:

"I believe the City Council will vote today to investigate a lease with Incoa at the port of 

Pensacola. As Director of First Place Partners, a private-sector economic development 

support organization made up of more than 45 local companies, I support this lease for 

several reasons:

— We need good paying jobs in Pensacola.  Our average per capital income is $39,582 - much

 lower than the state average of $46,858.  This lease brings 77 jobs averaging more than

 $60,000. 

— The city of Pensacola needs the revenue. Facing the largest proposed budget in the city’s

 history, this project means almost $1 million a year to help taxpayers. 

I’m sure you are aware that one in four children in Escambia County live in poverty. We lag

 behind in many economic categories.  Good jobs are so important to our working families

 - more important than building condos for rich people.  

Thanks for your consideration,"

The folks who are leery of this deal, however, have many concerns.  From their email: 

"Our concerns leaving the discussion is that this proposal has the potential to be noisy, dust producing and a huge operation and my questions are as follows: 

Has due diligence been performed on the principals involved in this venture?

Will anyone involved with a financial stake call Pensacola their home and move their family here?.

What prevents any of the current players from selling their interest and moving away? 

Are these companies shell companies with no recourse if commitments are not met?

Our initial research shows foreign entities with Limited Liability status that are not required to show owner’s names and may not be subject to suit in the US if things go awry.

INCOA Performance Minerals is registered in Delaware as a foreign limited liability company with a mailing address in Salt Lake City Utah. 

The trademark INCAL (we believe this is the product name) is listed under Whitehaven Partners LTD with a Utah address and shows up as a corporation registered in the Cayman Islands.

YouTube videos of Calcium Carbonate Processing facilities show these to be noisy, dust producing and huge scale enterprises. 

What traffic studies have been discussed as to moving the processed calcium carbonate through our downtown neighborhoods?

Has thought been given to requirements to soundproof these warehouses and silos that this company intends to occupy? 

Obviously, we are all coming in at the 11^th hour but the concern is about the future welfare of our beautiful city."