By CAROL KENT
BONIFAY – The long-silent old Bonifay Middle School campus on Telfair Street will soon be bustling with the sound of economic growth with a Pennsylvania-based company’s decision to choose Bonifay as its newest manufacturing location.
The Holmes County Development Commission (HCDC) confirms Probes Unlimited, Inc. (PUI), a manufacturer of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Sensing Devices, will soon take up residence in the old 5th grade wing – a move that is anticipated to bring 60 new jobs to Holmes County.
The company manufactures what is described as highly accurate, custom temperature OEM sensing devices for industries such as commercial food service equipment, pellet technology BBQ equipment, scientific instrumentation, aerospace instrumentation, factory automation, and green technologies.
“We are excited to select Holmes County, Florida as our new location in the Southeastern US to support PUI’s growth,” said PUI President and CEO Ernie DeLany. “Expansion into a community and region that offers a business-focused environment with a population ready to work was key in the selection of Bonifay and Northwest Florida.”
HCDC Executive Director Joe Rone says PUI is a sign of whatÂ’s on the horizon for economic development in Holmes County.
“We are pleased that Probes Unlimited recognized the infrastructure and growth opportunities Holmes County has to offer new industry,” said Rone. “In addition to being an excellent opportunity for PUI, this is also a win for our community because it brings growth to our local economy and represents our continued commitment to progress in Holmes County. We would like to thank Florida’s Great Northwest, the Holmes County School District, Opportunity Florida, Enterprise Florida and CareerSource Chipola for helping make this project a reality.”
Rone says the next step is to build a driveway and put in some parking, projects that will be funded in part by a $25,000 grant through the Enterprise Florida Site Preparedness Program.
“The fact that we are repurposing those buildings is a plus for our community,” said Rone.
FloridaÂ’s Great Northwest, the regionÂ’s economic development organization, helped connect the industry and the development commission.
“PUI’s choice of Holmes County is a great example of Northwest Florida’s ability to stimulate economic growth through targeted industries and strategic areas,” said Jennifer Conoley, President and CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest.
“In this case, it’s manufacturing that supports a variety of Original Equipment Manufacturers. We’re delighted that our business environment and resources can attract companies like PUI to Northwest Florida.”
PUIÂ’s management team plans to initially employee 18 manufacturing assemblers. Employment opportunities will be available in the immediate future.
Interested individuals should contact CareerSource Chipola at 850-633-4419 for more information or apply online at https://www.probesunlimited.com/careers/.
The business is expected to be up and running by August.
Staff Report 
GARETT VALCOURT 