Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Three years after announcing Hertz was moving its global headquarters to Southwest Florida, Gov. Rick Scott was back to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new headquarters.
“I ran for governor … five years ago on a jobs platform,” said Scott, a Naples Republican, during an event Friday. “I like anybody that adds jobs, and the jobs that Hertz brought here is outstanding.”
In 2013, Hertz announced it planned to relocate its worldwide headquarters to Estero from New Jersey. The company at the time said it would bring 700 new jobs to the area. The company received millions of dollars in state and local incentives to relocate its offices.
“It’s an exciting day. Three years ago … got to announce that Hertz was moving its corporate office out of cold, high-tax New Jersey,” Scott said. “It’s funny, the governor of New Jersey is a friend of mine. I have not talked to him about it. He’s never brought it up, and neither have I. I wonder why?”
Scott used the event to announce the state’s job numbers. In December, the state’s unemployment rate was 5 percent, down 0.7 percent from the previous year. The state added 21,000 private sector jobs in December, said Cissy Proctor, the head of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
“In December, we added yet another chapter to the incredible economic story that we have to tell about our great state,” Proctor said. “In November, businesses all across the state blew past the 1 million job number, and in December, they kept on adding.”
Scott said the state had added more than 1 million private sector jobs in the past five years.
“Florida is definitely leading the way, but we must stay focused to make sure the future is bright for Florida families, Florida students, Florida workers and, of course, Florida businesses,” said Proctor.
Proctor said that meant supporting the governor’s $1 billion tax cut plan and a $250 million enterprise fund proposal.
“A friendly tax policy, a competitive business environment and, of course, our beautiful beaches are part of the reason why companies like Hertz choose to relocate to Florida,” she said.
In 2013, the Naples Daily News reported that the incentive package for Hertz was the largest incentive agreement reached by Enterprise Florida in Lee County. It was expected the project would bring a $300 million direct financial benefit to Lee County by 2017.
“Our man brings results for everybody in this state by providing what is a fundamental thing, self-respect through a good paying job,” said Rep. Curt Clawson, a Bonita Springs Republican.
Video courtesy of the governor’s office.
