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The Bay Economic Development Alliance, an agent of the Bay County Commission (Bay EDA), announced today that Mocama Marine LLC will be establishing a boat manufacturing operation in Bay County, Florida. The company will create 105 new jobs and will invest $10.5M in this new operation.
Mocama Marine LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of East Bay Capital, Inc., an investment firm based in Jacksonville, Florida. The company recently acquired the boat manufacturing brands of Action Craft (revered brand of flats boats and bay boats founded in 1981) and SouthWind (a premier brand of high-quality deck boats founded in 2007). Mocama Marine intends to consolidate operations of Action Craft and SouthWind to increase capacity, efficiency, and output under a production builder model necessary to support its intent to sell through a nationwide network of boat dealers and rental boat clubs. Manufacturing activities will generally be comprised of lamination (production of large and small fiberglass parts) and assembly (installations, rigging, painting, cleaning, testing, packaging, etc.) Management activities will include oversight of operations, accounting, sales, marketing, procurement, transportation, quality control, warranty, customer service and administrative support functions.
The company will be purchasing two existing facilities located off Bay Line Drive, which is in the original industrial park in Bay County.
According to Barry Skitsko, President of Mocama Marine and its parent company East Bay Capital, “In Bay County, Florida, we found a community eager to assist our company’s expansion plans. By consolidating manufacturing operations at this expansive facility, we are well positioned to return Action Craft and Southwind to their roots as production builders serving dealers and rental clubs across the country. We look forward to a long, successful partnership in Bay County. We want to thank the Bay County Commission and the Bay Economic Development Alliance for their support during this site selection process.”
This project was made possible through the combined efforts of the Bay EDA, the Bay County Board of Commissioners, Triumph Gulf Coast Fund, University of West Florida – “Industry Resilience and Diversification Fund”, CareerSource Gulf Coast, Haney Technical College and Gulf Coast State College.
Will Cramer, Chairman of the Bay Economic Development Alliance stated, “We are pleased to welcome Mocama Marine into Bay County. This project represents 105 new advanced manufacturing careers within our community. These new manufacturing careers will have a ripple effect in our community for years to come by attracting new residents to our region and providing good jobs for the people who call Bay County home.”
Bay County Commissioner, Bill Dozier, had high remarks for the announcement of Mocama Marine within Bay County.
“Mocama Marine will be a fantastic corporate partner in Bay County,” stated Commissioner Bill Dozier. Commissioner Dozier continued, “Mocama Marine is making a substantial investment in Bay County with this new manufacturing operation. We have worked closely with Mocama Marine officials throughout their process to showcase Bay County as the best location for their business. Their creation of 105 new careers in marine manufacturing provides our citizens with new employment opportunities for years to come. The Bay County Commissioners thank Mocama Marine officials for their commitment and investment within Bay County, Florida.”
About Mocama Marine LLC
Mocama Marine LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of East Bay Capital Inc. The company has acquired the boat manufacturing brands of Action Craft and SouthWind boats. The company plans to consolidate manufacturing operations facilities located in Bay County, Florida.
About Bay Economic Development Alliance
The Bay County Economic Development Alliance (BayEDA) is Bay County’s economic development entity. Publicly and privately funded, Bay EDA serves Bay County’s mission of supporting the existing businesses in Bay County and recruitment of new businesses to Bay County. Bay EDA supports the existing pillars of the economy and is dedicated to growing and diversifying the Bay County economy.