Tube Dude to refund county grant money

Tube Dude LLC, the firm behind the smiling colorful sculptures along local roadways, plans to repay $56,000 of an economic incentive agreement to Sarasota County if county commissioners approve a contract Tuesday, Feb. 11.

The company failed to create 44 jobs paying an average wage of $52,000, which had been promised as part of the $100,000 contract owner Scott Gerber inked with the county in 2011. The reimbursement agreement, which Gerber signed Jan. 10, calls for six payments of $9,333 bi-annually through 2016.

"It's an aggressive payment schedule, but it's one I think is fair," Gerber said in a Feb. 7 phone interview.

"Tube Dude had kind of restructured the way we were going to do our business," Gerber said.

The firm had originally planned to bring powder coating in house and launch a furniture line, which would have expanded employment.

Tube Dude, which originally operated out of the Rosemary District, had moved to Main Street and most recently to a storefront on St. Armands Circle.

Commissioners will also discuss a report from County Administrator Tom Harmer on a feasibility study on the proposal to extend the Legacy Trail into downtown Sarasota. And Harmer will also present a proposal to extend homelessness consultant Robert Marbut's contract nine months, which would cost roughly $83,000.

IF YOU GO
What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11
Where: R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice