Governor Rick Scott announced today that communications giant Verizon will add 350 new jobs, in addition to the 750 announced in February 2013, making 1,100 new jobs in an area just north of Orlando.
Scott revealed the hiring plans during a ceremony celebrating the opening of Verizon’s new $50 million, 220,000 square-foot finance center in Lake Mary.
Pointing to Verizon’s “growing commitment in Central Florida,” Scott called the expansion a way for Floridians “to find a meaningful job with a great company.”
Verizon chief financial officer Fran Shammo thanked both Scott and his agencies for support in the project, adding the work by local and state economic groups has been “top notch.”
“This state-of-the-art building further represents our commitment to creating and offering good jobs in an industry-leading company with a first-class environment,” Shammo added.
In a statement issued by the governor’s office, Verizon joins many of the nation’s leading financial and professional services companies who have established a significant presence in Florida “to take advantage of its global connectivity, experienced workforce, and favorable business climate.”
Verizon’s proposal came about through several relationships at the local and state levels, including efforts by Enterprise Florida, Inc., Seminole County, the Orlando Economic Development Commission, CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
“Verizon’s new Financial Center is a great investment for Seminole County and a huge boost for the state,” said Enterprise Florida CEO Gray Swoope. “Thanks to industry leaders like Verizon, Florida is known as one of the top states for business and I congratulate them on the opening of their new Lake Mary campus.”
In the nearly $75 billion Florida budget, which is set to begin July 1, Scott recommended $95 million investment in economic development incentive programs to attract new industries and expand existing businesses. Scott says the foundation of his plan is flexibility to have funds available so the state can react quickly to unanticipated opportunities.
