Energy drink maker opens HQ in Bethpage

Agua Enerviva, a manufacturer of energy drinks, recently moved its headquarters to a former Grumman Corp. factory in Bethpage.

The company, begun last year by former executives of the maker of Vitamin Water beverages, has a dozen employees. It initially opened in Greenwich, Conn.

Agua Enerviva has rented 3,000 square feet at 15 Grumman Rd. West. The former aircraft plant, which totals 372,000 square foot, is being renovated by developer Steel Equities. It purchased the factory and adjacent land for about $7 million.

In May, the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency agreed to a five-year freeze of property taxes in return for Steel Equities promising to find tenants for the plant that would together employ 340 people. The developer also received a $259,000 sales tax exemption on materials needed to upgrade the building.

If the goals are met, Steel Equities would be eligible for more property tax breaks over 15 years, officials said.

The tax breaks have been passed along in the form of low rents, which attracted Agua Enerviva, according to its president Michael Venuti.

He said last week that the company “is looking to grow” as Vitamin Water, once based in Whitestone, Queens, went from a handful of workers to more than 500.

Agua Enerviva sells five flavors, each using natural caffeine from the guarana berry.