GOVERNOR CRIST ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WIN FOR PALM COAST AND FLAGLER COUNTY
~~ ~Secures 700 new jobs, in addition to retaining employee base of 1,000 in the community ~ ~~
October 10, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
850-488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today applauded a big win for Florida’s state and local Flagler County development team. AMREP Corp. will be unifying its magazine, membership and direct mail fulfillment services which include Palm Coast Data and Kable Fulfillment Services into one location: Palm Coast, Fla., and under one brand: Palm Coast Data.
“Economic development that leads to high value, high wage jobs is my number one mission, and by working with companies like Palm Coast Data to facilitate their growth and expansion in Florida, we are accomplishing this mission,” said Gov. Crist. “I commend the team who made this good news happen, including Enterprise Florida and its local affiliate, Enterprise Flagler, WorkForce Florida, the City of Palm Coast and Flagler County. This well-coordinated effort will benefit Palm Coast and our state in the years to come.”
Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts also praised the expansion. According to Netts, the retention and expansion of Palm Coast Data will retain an employee base of 1,000, while bringing an additional 700 jobs to the community. “The retention of these jobs, along with the expansion of Palm Coast Data, goes a long way to secure solid economic growth for our City and County. This makes us all better and stronger,” Netts said.
The combination of the Palm Coast Data capital budget, along with the incentives and investments from the State of Florida, Enterprise Flagler and the City of Palm Coast, will be directly and indirectly responsible for generating $174.6 million in annual economic output throughout Flagler County within three years. Total direct economic output is expected to be $123.8 million annually upon reaching the full employment estimates.
John Meneough, president of Palm Coast Data, acknowledged that choosing a location to unify the company’s operations was a difficult decision, but the commitment of the state and the community helped seal the deal. “We are extremely proud that Palm Coast will be the launching point for the future of our company and the flagship of our new brand,” said Meneough.
“We want to thank Palm Coast Data for its outstanding past and projected future corporate commitments to the City of Palm Coast and Flagler County. Palm Coast Data’s decision to remain and grow in our community reaffirms a major cornerstone of corporate investment for economic vitality and economic development growth,” Michael Chiumento, III, chairman of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, and Jim Cullis, president of Enterprise Flagler, said in a joint statement.
Flagler County Board of Commission Chairman, James O’Connell applauded the efforts of both the City of Palm Coast and Enterprise Flagler for their success. “At a time of high unemployment and a difficult economy, Flagler County welcomes these additional jobs. We were happy to play a small role in this team effort,” he said.
Tom Cooley, executive director of Enterprise Flagler, noted that the Palm Coast Data expansion is expected to create an additional 793 indirect jobs, leading to a total estimate of 2,493 permanent jobs in the community. “The combined ‘One Team, One Voice’ approach provided a unified front of support and commitment to this economic development initiative.”
The Center for Business Excellence will be coordinating the job application process. For those interested in a job opportunity at Palm Coast Data, applications and resumes for the new positions will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 13th, 14th and 15th in the Community Room of the Flagler Chamber of Commerce located at 20 Airport Road, Suite C, in Palm Coast. No interviews or hiring will be conducted until all applications have been reviewed. Interviews of selected job seekers will occur at a later date. A criminal background check, drug test and post-employment physical will be required. Additional job opportunities will become available at a later date.
About Palm Coast Data and Kable Fulfillment Services
The unification of Palm Coast Data and Kable Fulfillment Services brings together a client roster of more than 300 of the United States’ major publishers and membership associations – solidifying the company’s position as a leader in magazine and membership fulfillment and direct marketing services. For more information, visit www.palmcoastdata.com.