TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that MLMC Florida (MLMC), a manufacturing company specializing in alternative fuels technology, will open a new facility in Plant City creating 45 new jobs. The new jobs will fulfill various functions including production, sales and logistics.
Governor Scott said, “Every new job is an opportunity for a Florida family to succeed in our state. I’m proud to announce more job growth in Plant City and I will never stop fighting to make sure that Florida continues to outpace the nation for job creation. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created nearly 1.6 million jobs and our unemployment rate is the lowest since April 2007.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “MLMC Florida’s decision to open a new manufacturing facility in our state proves that Florida’s commitment to developing a competitive business environment and a talented workforce, specifically for manufacturers, is working. We are proud to have companies like MLMC Florida move to our state and create jobs for hardworking Florida families.”
The approximately 103,000 square-foot new MLMC facility in Plant City will receive more than 150,000 tons per year of manufacturing process and packaging waste materials from local businesses that would have otherwise been delivered to landfills or incinerators. MLMC Florida acquires and processes pre-consumer waste materials, such as non-recyclable, coated paper and cardboard, Styrofoam, plastic films, wood materials and other process and packaging materials to manufacture a clean, energy dense fuel product.
Jim LaDue, Chief Operating Officer at MLMC Florida, said, “As we were planning our market entry, we were targeting the Midwest and Southeast, but most importantly, we were looking for a community that was business friendly and had the workforce we needed to succeed. Hillsborough County and Plant City stood out to us, and we’re confident we made the right decision.”
Sandra Murman, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners said, “Manufacturing has a long history in Hillsborough County and continues to be an area of focus for us. We’re grateful to MLMC Florida for choosing Hillsborough County for their expansion, and the high-wage jobs they’ll bring to our local residents.”
Rick A. Lott, Mayor of Plant City said, “Plant City is thrilled to have Materials Lifecycle Management Company in our community. Advanced manufacturing is what we’re all about and MLMC’s alternative fuel product is helping us become less dependent on fossil fuels. This is a great project all around.”
Alan F. List, MD, chairman of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and president and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center said, “Today’s modern manufacturing companies are developing technology that makes an impact worldwide, and MLMC Florida is no exception. We’re proud to include such an innovative and environmentally-friendly company like MLMC Florida to our local manufacturing industry, and we’re committed to helping them succeed here.”
Keith C. Smith, Chairman of the Plant City Economic Development Corporation said, “This is a big win for our community. The Plant City EDC would like to thank Materials Lifecycle Management Company for creating jobs and investing in Plant City. We also thank our many partners that helped make it happen.”
Joe York, Vice-Chairman of Enterprise Florida’s Board of Directors said, “Today’s announcement proves that Florida is the best location for clean technology businesses. EFI is excited to welcome MLMC to Florida and we look forward to their success.”
The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, Plant City Economic Development Corporation, City of Plant City, Hillsborough County, Tampa Electric, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.