While the focus of Growth Watch is growth and development primarily in Historic Downtown Sanford, this week I took a field trip to the southern edge of Sanford’s District One, where a 30,000 SF, $2.9M warehouse space on Cornwall Road has been acquired by Media 1, a sign and wrap company previously in Longwood, FL that holds as clientele numerous Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, Kroger, and Camping World.
Business partners Dale Salamacha and Rick Ream started working collaboratively in the 1990s, with Rick eventually joining Dale’s sign business, which was rebranded as Media 1 in 2005. “I started this business out of my garage as a high school student in DECA,” said Salamacha. “Today we are the second largest consumer of 3M wrap vinyl in the Southeastern U.S., using over 30,000 SF of vinyl a month. About one third of our business is vehicle wraps which is marketed under Wrap This, and the rest signs, awnings, and architectural features.”
Upon arriving at Media 1′ new facility, I was blown away by the size and scope of their projects. One of the largest trailers I have ever seen was in the process of being wrapped on both sides, while a team was producing a series of signs for ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, set to be installed in Fort Myers this week.
“We take care of 17 ABCs a year,” said Ream. “Everything from exterior signage, interior signage, lighting … you name it.” This Sanford-based team also services Amazon distribution centers all over the United States. “We send teams of three guys out on installs (for Amazon) on a Sunday, placing 6′ tall letters and a 36′ long smile. They get back Friday night. We go everywhere,” said Salamacha.
Media 1 is a multi-million dollar company that, among other huge projects, recently installed signs at Camping World stadium, the largest of which is located on the Jumbotron and measures 14’x77′, weighing 22,000 lbs and had to be delivered in 8 separate pieces on a flatbed truck. (Follow on YouTube)
While Dale and Rick would happily speak about these large iconic projects, my eyes immediately fell to the work that was present on Rick’s computer and desk while we chatted, as they struck much closer to home. Rick was giving his time that day to oversee both the design and printing of signage and decals for prominent Sanford non-profit organization The Ladies 327 Supper Club, as well as assessing the work needed to paint and wrap the trailer owned by The Historic Sanford Welcome Center that is used to house supplies for Sanford’s monthly street party, Alive After 5.
To anyone that knows Media 1, this is no surprise. While they have provided signage and graphics for prominent Fortune 500 companies and have multi-million dollar contracts all over the Southeast, they make it a point to provide the same quality service at a fair price to local law firms, retail shops, non-profits, and restaurants all over Sanford. If you have been to Sanford, odds are you have seen many signs and graphics that came from Media 1. “We love helping locals,” said Ream. “We’ve done well and want to help those around us and see them do well.”
Rick Ream and his wife Deb, who also works at Media 1, have been Sanford residents since February, 2017, the owners of one of the beautiful mid-century modern homes that populate Sanford’s District One. For them, living and playing in Sanford has been amazing. I attended the Sanford Citizen’s Academy with Rick and Deb in 2018; they are proud to be ambassadors for our city as well as active and involved residents. They frequent local restaurants, bars, and events, often cruising around Sanford in their golf cart, have participated in the popular Sofas and Suds event, volunteered at numerous other events, and are quite well known locally.
While many readers of this blog know the Reams, you may not know how big – and visible – the local imprint of the Media 1 move to Sanford truly is. They bring skilled employees and jobs to the City of Sanford. Their employees are supporting the local businesses, and of course, this is a huge addition to our local property taxes. The move to Sanford will hopefully be made easier by applying for a property tax rebate that was passed by the Sanford City Commission last October.
The rebate is a tool that the City Commission may use to incentivize needed development. If granted, it may allow Media 1 to recoup a portion of their actual taxes paid for a period of 10 years, based upon any increase in their property taxes that is due to the development increasing the land value, at the discretion of the city commission.
Media 1 / Wrap This
501 Cornwall Rd
Sanford, FL 32773
Tel: 407-331-6161
Email: Rick@media1signs.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYxpkdDx8ijk6idR8diu1A
