Gov. Rick Scott's $3.9 Million 'Incentives' Deal to Bring 600 Jobs to Stuart

Don't ask folks in Stuart where the jobs are that Rick Scott promised -- because they'll tell you. Six hundred of them are right there in that Treasure Coast community. Or will be within five years. And the average annual salary? $43,350.

At least, that's what American Energy Innovations promised after the governor offered the company $3.945 million in incentives if it would reject an offer from North Carolina.

Ed Kelley, controller for American Custom Yachts, an affiliate of AEI, said during a deal-announcing ceremony Thursday, "I have no problem in saying that if it wasn't for the aggressiveness of the (Business Development Board of Martin County) and getting the governor involved personally, making us feel like we're not just another boat builder in town, that they wanted us here, that was the reason we're here now."

A Jim Turner story in The Stuart News claims members of the Business Development Board of Martin County estimate the deal "could mean up to $184.9 million a year in economic impact through the jobs and construction of a factory for the company's innovative seamless, single-piece blades and other components for wind and submerged turbine engines."

Scott flew into town briefly Thursday, announcing the deal at Indian River State College.
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