GOVERNOR SCOTT ANNOUNCES CONNECTWISE EXPANSION IN TAMPA
Project will create 112 new jobs and $1.28 million capital investment by 2016
TAMPA, Fla.– Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that ConnectWise will expand its headquarters in Hillsborough County, creating 112 jobs and $1.28 million in capital investment by 2016.
Governor Scott said, “The expansion of ConnectWise’s headquarters and creation of more than 100 new jobs is great news for families in the Tampa area. We work every day to make sure that Florida is the best state in the nation for businesses to grow and create more opportunities for Florida families. ConnectWise could have expanded in California or Washington, but chose Florida because we’re creating an opportunity economy where businesses can succeed and grow jobs for families.”
ConnectWise is the number one business management platform worldwide, made for companies that sell, service, and support technology. The company platform fully integrates business-process automation, help desk and customer service, sales, marketing, project management, and business analytics that dramatically streamline a company’s operations. Because more than 80,000 users rely on ConnectWise to achieve greater accountability, operational efficiency, and profitability, the company decided to expand to accommodate their increased growth.
“We are very excited to continue to build our company in Florida and contribute to the state’s economic engine,” said Arnie Bellini, ConnectWise CEO. “As a technology company committed to innovation, we know how crucial it is to hire and retain highly-skilled individuals, which is why we continuously recruit the best and the brightest from universities right here in Florida. Our partners are our number one priority and we will continue to grow as they grow to ensure their profitability and success well into the future.”
ConnectWise is headquartered in Tampa and currently employs more than 330 individuals at its George Road and Independent Parkway facilities. The 112 new jobs will consist of positions in sales, human resources, accounting, marketing, and most notably, software engineering. To accommodate the anticipated growth, the company plans to outfit and occupy an additional 10,000 square feet in the Westshore Business District by 2015.
Florida is ranked third in the nation for high-tech establishments. In addition, the state’s software and computer systems design and integration industry is one of the largest in the U.S., with nearly 12,600 firms. Almost half of the more than 80,000 professionals who work in the field are employed by software development firms, with the rest working in related technology-intensive industries throughout the state.
“When an industry leader like ConnectWise announces they’re expanding their headquarters in your state, you know you have a strong and supportive economy in place,” said Gray Swoope, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida. “We’ve worked hard to expand and diversifyFlorida’s economy, and expansions like this show that Florida has the perfect climate for business. This expansion will add value to the state’s robust IT sector and we look forward to the company’s continued success.”
The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
“With this expansion, ConnectWise offers additional proof that we’re creating a globally competitive business climate. One that not only attracts companies, but provides the necessary support and resources to help our existing businesses grow and prosper,” said the Hon. Mark Sharpe, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
“We’re the fastest-growing economy in Florida, thanks to the success of companies like ConnectWise,” said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “They could have made the decision to locate these jobs anywhere, but they chose to stay in Tampa. This is a big win for our community.”
“As a leader in the IT industry, ConnectWise sends a strong message about the quality and availability of our workforce by selecting Tampa for this expansion,” said Allen Brinkman, Chair of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and Chairman, President & CEO of SunTrust Bank Tampa Bay. “Keeping jobs like these in our community is critical, and it wouldn’t happen without the commitment of our state and local partners.”
“The remarkable success in Florida of IT firms like ConnectWise underscores our commitment to growing high-skill, high-wage opportunities for Floridians and ensuring our state’s talent pool has the right skills for the right industries, both today and tomorrow,” said Chris Hart IV, President & CEO of CareerSource Florida.
Source: Governor Scott Press Release
