An anonymous boatbuilder plans to make a US$16.2m capital investment on a site currently operated by Bertram Yachts in Brevard County, Florida. According to Florida Today, the mystery company has named itself “Project Transom” in documents submitted to county officials. It cited competitive reasons for not revealing its identity.

The website said that the company would use the money mainly for new manufacturing equipment. It said it could employ up to 380 people by 2017.

The company plans to seek county tax incentives of US$1.16m, spread over 10 years. It would pay US$1.15m in new property taxes over that time. The Brevard County Commssion said it would have a preliminary discussion of those incentives on Tuesday.

Trudy McCarthy, senior director of operations for the county’s Economic Development Commission (EDC), told the website that Project Transom would assume the lease for the Merritt Island facility from Bertram, which has been downsizing local operations.

"Florida is only one of the states being considered for this facility, and tax abatement and other incentives will play a huge role in making the final location decision,” said Project Transom in filings. “We are close to making our decision, and time is of the essence."

It promised "50 new, well-paying jobs the first year, 110 in year two, 180 in year three and 380 in year four, and it won't stop there." It predicted "unprecedented growth potential."

The company said it wants a factory on the US east coast to “serve the growing needs of our customers for 60- to 90ft yachts.” It plans to initially build yachts for the Ocean Alexander brand, according to the documents.

Project Transom said it would sell about 60% of its boats to “out-of-state” customers during the first year, and would begin exporting yachts during the second year.

Bertram Yachts announced plans in 2012 to move yacht manufacturing from Miami to the former Sea Ray plant on Merritt Island. It had initial plans to employ 221 people on Merritt Island within two years.

The EDC believes that Bertram did not reach those projections. Brevard County Manager Stockton Whitten said that Betram did not receive expected tax breaks because it did not meet the hiring or capital investment goals.

Bertram officials did not return requests seeking comment.

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