FORT MYERS, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Gartner, Inc., a global information technology research and advisory company, will expand in Lee County and create 600 new jobs. The company will also invest more than $21 million in the local community. Gartner currently employs more than 1,250 Floridians. The new jobs will include positions in sales, client service, research, finance, and more.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce today that Gartner will be expanding in Lee County to create 600 new jobs. Thanks to the hard work of Enterprise Florida and local economic development agencies, hundreds of Floridians in Southwest Florida will have the opportunities they need to find great jobs and provide for their families. This incredible news shows how important it is to continue to make Florida more competitive for job creation wins, and we will continue to fight to make sure our state has all the resources we need to become the job creation capital of the world.”

Gartner began its Fort Myers operation nearly two decades ago. Since then, it has grown to become the company’s second-largest office worldwide. Gartner’s latest commitment to the State of Florida follows the successful construction of two successive 120,000 square foot buildings in Fort Myers in 2012 and 2014, and the development of a new world class training facility in 2016 which totaled more than $46 million in capital investment. The company has also increased its workforce by more than 800 new jobs since 2012, now employing over 1,100 Floridians in Fort Myers. Gartner also employs almost 9,000 associates worldwide, including 1,900 research analysts and consultants, serving clients in more than 10,000 enterprises.

Gene Hall, chief executive officer of Gartner, said, “We appreciate the hard work of Enterprise Florida and the incentives approved by the State of Florida and Lee County. These efforts will help us continue to invest in the local community and support our long-term growth. We look forward to adding new talent to our existing workforce in Southwest Florida.”

This project was made possible through the close partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Lee County Economic Development Office, CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “I’m proud that Gartner, one of Southwest Florida’s top employers, has chosen to expand its operations in Fort Myers. While Gartner has offices all across the globe, Florida’s skilled workforce has the talent the company needs to succeed.”

CareerSource Florida has offered Gartner performance-based partial reimbursement grants for employee training through the Quick Response Training (QRT) program. QRT grants are structured to be flexible and responsive to the training needs of new or expanding businesses.

CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard said, “CareerSource Florida is pleased to have assisted Gartner, Inc., with employee skills training through a Quick Response Training grant. The CareerSource Florida network stands ready to help Gartner and Florida businesses of all sizes meet recruiting, hiring and training needs to support their continued success and growth.”

Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman, who is the Economic Development Office liaison for the Lee Board of County Commissioners, said, “These new jobs along with Gartner’s continued investment in Lee County will provide opportunities for generations. Lee County has worked very hard to position itself as one of the most attractive places to live, work and raise a family in the United States.”

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About Gartner
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. We deliver the technology-related insight necessary for our clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior information technology (IT) leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to supply chain professionals, digital marketing professionals and technology investors, we are the valuable partner to clients in more than 10,000 distinct enterprises. We work with clients to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual roles. Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has almost 9,000 associates, including 1,900 research analysts and consultants, operating in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.

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 launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.

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