- November 22, 2024
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Don Gioia and Patrick Moynihan still vividly remember the economic recession that occured in 2009-2010 and the effect it had on their company, Gioia Sails Inc., which manufactures canvas and upholstery for yachts and other marine vessels.
“They were horrible years for everybody,” Moynihan said. “But we made it through.”
Gioia Sails celebrated the grand opening of its new Palm Coast facility on Thursday, Nov. 15. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the introduction of the 30,000-square-foot warehouse, which is located at 10 Commerce Blvd. Gioia Sails has another facility in Lakewood, New Jersey.
In December 2016, Gioia Sails received a $90,000 incentive, to be paid out over the course of 10 years, to build its new manufacturing facility in Flagler County. They originally moved to the county in 2013 but outgrew the facility on Hargrove Grade.
The facility currently employs 64 people (up from 43 at the previous facility), but Moynihan said he expects that number to reach upward of 75 by next year. And an economic model prepared by CareerSource estimates the total economic impact of Gioia remaining in Flagler and the building the new facility at $27.5 million over 10 years.
"By keeping Gioia Sails in the community, we not only kept those people who are currently employed, but we've allowed for them to expand their operations," county Economic Development Executive Director Helga van Eckert said.
The build time was seven months, and Moynihan said the county and the city of Palm Coast were very helpful is getting the project finished on time.
“This is a tremendous day for all of us,” he said. “This has been a long time coming.”
