Drew Wilson
Granite and marble slab manufacturer Granex plans to move its headquarters to Tampa and add 50 employees in Hillsborough County over the next few years, Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday.
“I’m excited Granex chose to move their first location in the United States to Tampa Bay. Since 2010, we have cut taxes over 55 times, including permanently eliminating the tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment this year, so we can continue to diversify our economy,” Scott said in a news release. “Florida’s business-friendly environment and world-class infrastructure are helping manufacturers like Granex ship products across the world.”
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity head Cissy Proctor also cited the manufacturing tax cut and, along with Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation Interim President J.P. Dubuque, said Tampa’s port made the location a natural fit for the granite manufacturer.
The new jobs were made possible through state and local economic incentives money though exact details of what Granex will receive for expanding were not released.
In 2013, however, Granex was granted ad-valorem property tax exemptions by the Hillsborough County Commission totaling $74,915 as part of the deal that saw the company make $6 million in capital investments and commit to adding 10 jobs in the community.
The deal got a unanimous vote, and Commissioner Al Higginbotham reaffirmed his support for the company Monday.
“We are proud to congratulate Raj Emandi and the Granex team on this milestone in the company’s history,” he said. “Thank you for your investment in Hillsborough County, and for bringing highly prized, skilled manufacturing jobs to this community. We look forward to supporting you as your business grows in the years to come.”
Emandi, CEO of Granex, said the company was excited to launch the Tampa headquarters said Scott “has helped Florida become a great state for businesses like ours to thrive.”
“Florida and Tampa Bay will be known as one of the best granite and marble manufacturing locations in the world,” Emandi said.
