PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that United Technologies will expand in Florida with the development of a new world-class customer showcase for its industry-leading building products. The UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings will bring 380 jobs and a capital investment of $115 million to the region.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that UTC Building & Industrial Systems has picked Florida for their new Center for Intelligent Buildings, which will add 380 jobs in the Palm Beach community. We know UTC picked Florida over other locations in the Southeast and we look forward to their continued success in the Sunshine State.”

UTC Building & Industrial Systems is the world’s largest provider of building technologies. Through innovation and integration, UTC Building & Industrial Systems brings together technologies from across its industry-leading brands to improve building efficiency and occupant experience. The organization combines cutting-edge HVAC with intuitive software, pairs breakthrough elevator technology with advanced security solutions, and merges entry control solutions with building automation systems to maximize comfort and enhance productivity – while minimizing energy consumption.

Geraud Darnis, President and CEO of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, said, “We are excited to announce the development of a first-of-its-kind, intelligent and sustainable customer center. This living showplace will serve as a destination for the global building community, offering truly integrated, whole-building solutions. We chose Florida among other potential locations in the Southeast for its ideal climate for year-round demonstration of advanced, energy efficient cooling technologies, as well as its proximity to existing UTC facilities and neighboring international airports.”

Florida offers businesses a pro-growth business climate with fewer roadblocks and governmental regulations. Florida has worked to foster a competitive tax climate where 80 percent of corporations don’t pay business tax, and there is no personal income tax. Florida provides its companies a highly-skilled workforce and abundant opportunities for training. Florida’s world-class business amenities and infrastructure offer 2,600 companies the number one tax climate in the nation.

Bill Johnson, Enterprise Florida president and CEO said, “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Scott, Florida is known more and more as one of the best states in the nation for business. Enterprise Florida continues to work aggressively to tell the state’s business story to companies across the nation, and today more than 2,600 companies are headquartered in Florida. We look forward to watching UTC Building & Industrial Systems grow and we thank them for their investment in the state.”

This project was made possible by the close partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the city of Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, "This is more great news for Palm Beach County. UTC's growing presence means more high-wage, high-skills jobs in the region. We've worked hard to ensure Florida has the perfect climate for business, and UTC's growth is further proof that we do."

'We are very excited that United Technologies has selected Palm Beach County as the location for its innovative UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings. This game-changing project is truly unique - there is no other facility like this in the U.S. and its proximity to Scripps Florida and Max Planck will solidify a true innovation and research corridor in this county," said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.

"We proudly welcome United Technologies as the newest partner in the Palm Beach Gardens business community," said Mayor Eric Jablin, Palm Beach Gardens. "The addition of United Technologies is significant to the Gardens and serves as an example of intelligent growth. We are grateful to United Technologies for placing its confidence in the solid business climate we have worked to establish and for the many job opportunities they will be creating. This will be to the benefit of our local economy for many years to come."

Palm Beach County Mayor Shelley Vana added, "Palm Beach County is very pleased with the company's plans, which not only stand to create a large number of high-paying jobs, but serve to transform North County into a high technology corridor, further

leveraging our investments in Scripps and Max Planck."

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UTC Building & Industrial Systems is the world’s largest provider of building technologies. Its elevator, escalator, fire-safety, security, building automation, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and services promote integrated, high-performance buildings that are safer, smarter and sustainable. UTC Building & Industrial Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.BIS.UTC.com or follow @UTC_CSS on Twitter.

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  EFI facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

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