Pasco County commissioners approved a $100 million-plus manufacturing and distribution facility for Monin, a global flavor company headquartered in Clearwater, on a 70-acre site near the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. The project will bring 173 jobs to eastern Pasco but has Zephyrhills residents questioning whether roads and utilities can handle the growth.
Monin CEO William Lombardo told commissioners at a mid-July meeting that the Zephyrhills plant will be the company's largest production and warehouse distribution facility anywhere. The company expects to invest $111 million, purchase land at the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park Ready Site, and create jobs with average annual wages of at least $46,760, according to the Pasco Economic Development Council.
"Growth is inevitable. I think it's good that industry will come to the area, but infrastructure hasn't kept up, so we're putting the cart ahead of the horse," Zephyrhills resident Elaine Summerhill told Tampa Bay 28 at Sunrise Eatery after the vote.
Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley called the approval "a tremendous win for Pasco County."
A $3.3 million incentive package for the city
The City of Zephyrhills approved an incentive package totaling $3,289,372 for the project, according to the Laker/Lutz News. That includes waived or reimbursed transportation impact fees up to $252,750, permit fees up to $435,060, and job creation cash grants equal to 50% of ad valorem city property taxes for years one through five and 25% for years six through 10.
In return, the EDC projects the facility will generate approximately $1.09 million in tax revenue for Pasco County during construction and roughly $260,000 annually once operational. Construction alone is projected to produce 564 job-years and $148.4 million in economic output.
Residents worry infrastructure can't keep pace
Resident Ed Heller, also speaking to Tampa Bay 28 at Sunrise Eatery, said new jobs are welcome but questioned whether the pace of development is outstripping infrastructure.
Pasco EDC President and CEO Bill Cronin said the airport site was chosen deliberately. The EDC's Ready Sites program set aside land for industrial growth based on existing infrastructure, traffic patterns and workforce proximity, he said. Cronin noted Pasco has historically been a bedroom community and said bringing jobs closer to residents is the priority.
Monin CFO Greg Grabau said the company assessed 10 candidate sites across four states before selecting Zephyrhills, citing labor availability, site readiness and proximity to the existing Clearwater facility.
Construction could begin before year's end
Monin is finalizing a builder and hopes to begin construction before the end of 2026. The company joins other employers including Bauducco Foods and MiTek that have expanded in the Zephyrhills industrial corridor.
Residents can monitor the Pasco County Commission's public meeting calendar at pascocountyfl.net for upcoming agenda items related to infrastructure and development.
