Area Development
In its fourth expansion in Sarasota County since 1991, medical products firm Aso LLC will locate its Millenium Coating LLC subsidiary in Sarasota County, FL; a move expected to add 50 jobs over five years.

The operation will be located in a new 23,500-sq.-ft. facility adjacent to Aso's existing 150,000-sq.ft.facility. Charles Hart, Aso VP of marketing, said the project will cost nearly $7 million; about $3.6 million of those monies is earmarked for specialized coating equipment.

Aso is a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of adhesive bandages and other wound care products to major retailers, and to medical and industrial product distributors. Millennium Coating will manufacture medical adhesive tape products to help Aso improve its vertical supply chain activity and overall customer service.

Aso has operated in Sarasota County for the past 20 years, and currently employs 225 workers. It owns 38 acres in the Sarasota International Trade Center business park.

Sarasota County Government recently approved a performance-based incentive grant of $125,000 to facilitate the company's expansion. "The steady expansion of Aso LLC in Sarasota County over the last [two decades] helps establish this area in the medical products field and builds and diversifies our workforce," said Nora Patterson, Sarasota County Commission chair.