Bertram drops expansion plans

MIAMI, Fla. — Announced plans to expand the Bertram Yachts Miami River plant and add 150 jobs in the next few years are now a distant memory, reports the Miami Herald in a story this week.

Last year, Miami-Dade business recruiters announced the plans, and in exchange, the county and state promised to give the company $1 million in tax refunds and other incentives, the paper reports.

However, rather than adding jobs and a $9 million plant expansion, the company’s staff is 40 percent smaller than a year ago with about 200 employees, according to the Herald.

”From what we understand, it doesn’t look like they’ll meet their goals for job creation,” James Kohnstamm, director of expansion at the economic development agency that negotiated the deal, told the paper.

Given the state of the economy, Kohnstamm told the Herald it was likely he would be having similar conversations regarding other business expansions that were to be assisted by the council.

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