SARASOTA, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Total Quality Logistics (TQL), one of the largest freight-brokerage firms in the country, will be expanding in Sarasota and creating 100 new jobs. The expansion will also create a capital investment of approximately $600,000 in the community. This is the company’s seventh location in the Sunshine state, joining existing operations in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce TQL is continuing to grow in Florida and will be creating 100 new jobs for Sarasota families. By supporting economic growth and cutting taxes more than 55 times since 2010, we are making it easier for Florida businesses to create new opportunities across our state. I look forward to seeing TQL’s continued success in Florida.”

The Sarasota expansion is in addition to the recent announcement that TQL will add 75 new jobs as a part of the Miami expansion, 100 new jobs as a part of the Daytona Beach expansion and 200 new jobs as a part of their new carrier services division in Tampa. The company opened its first Florida location in 2010 and currently employs nearly 450 Floridians across the state. They have been recognized numerous times as a top employer both statewide and by publications in each city where it operates.

TQL President Kerry Byrne said, “We are pleased to expand our footprint in Florida. Adding our seventh location there gives us access to the best available talent so we can provide the world-class service our customers have grown to expect from us.”

The TQL expansion was made possible through partnerships between Enterprise Florida, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Sarasota County, the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota.

Bill Johnson, Enterprise Florida President and CEO said, “We congratulate TQL for their expansion and thank them for their continued commitment to Florida. Florida is the #1 state for transportation infrastructure in the country, making the Sunshine State the ideal location for logistics and distribution companies.”

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “TQL continues to rapidly expand in cities all across Florida, providing hundreds of new jobs for jobseekers around the state. Their success is evidence that Florida is the best place in the nation to grow a business.”

Alan Maio, Chairman, Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners said, “TQL’s commitment to further its corporate growth in Sarasota County is a testament to our friendly business environment and quality labor pool.  We are excited to welcome them to our community.”

Pat Dorsey, Chair of the EDC of Sarasota County, said, “We are thrilled that TQL chose Sarasota County for its most recent Florida expansion location.  The EDC will continue to work with them to ensure their success in our community.”

Mayor Willie Shaw, City of Sarasota, said, “The city of Sarasota looks forward to welcoming its newest corporate citizen to our great community. TQL’s capital investment and job creation is a welcome boost to our local economy.” 

The Sarasota office will open with a founding team of six current employees and plans to bring on at least four people in its first hiring class prior to opening. TQL plans to bring 100 new jobs to the city by the end of 2020. The office in the BB&T Building at 1800 Second Street, Suite 606, Sarasota, Fla. 34236 is scheduled to open for business June 6, 2016.

TQL Sarasota is hiring now; interested applicants may visit www.tqljobs.com for more information.

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Total Quality Logistics (TQL) is one of the largest freight brokerage firms in the nation. TQL connects customers needing to move truckload freight shipments with carriers having capacity to move them. TQL is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its 2015 sales topped $2.2 billion and it employs more than 3,800 people nationwide. Connect with TQL on the web at TQL.com, on Facebook at Total Quality Logistics or on Twitter @TQLogistics.

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI recently launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.

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