LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix headquarters in Lakeland has announced a large corporate expansion.
The grocery chain says it will add about 700 corporate jobs within the next ten years.
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Florida state incentives require Publix to add a certain number of jobs each year until the year 2027.
In order to do that at their current headquarters, the seven-state chain will have to add on to their current office space.
Right now, Publix headquarters in Lakeland is about 320,000 square feet and can fit approximately 1,200 people.
However, Todd Jones, the president, and CEO of Publix says they are running out of space and squeezing about 200 more people than capacity can fill at the moment.
The company has yet to hire an architect or construction company but is in the process of looking for bids.
They are looking to add on about 190,000 additional square feet to the present structure in Lakeland.
This addition will allow Publix to fit 700 more corporate employees.
The minimum average wage for these new jobs starts around $46,000 per year.
According to a Publix spokesperson, they must add these jobs in order to keep up with their growth nationwide.
“We continue to grow and we need the support staff in order to grow the different markets. So whether it’s marketing, whether it’s construction, whether it’s our legal offices, we need to support our growth whether it’s in Florida or our addition six states,” Maria Brous, with Publix said.
The Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, who has just a few months left in office, was there to congratulate the 88-year-old business.
Governor Scott saying Florida is blessed to have such a large corporate office in the state as well as applauding Publix for continuing to be a hometown staple to community members in Lakeland.
“I hope whoever the next governor is, keeps focusing on jobs. It’s the biggest thing we can do, when you do that you get more money for education, transportation the environment and everything so I hope the next governor is very focused on how we can get more jobs for the state because it’s the biggest thing we can do for our family,” Governor Scott said.
Publix plans on beginning construction as soon as possible and hopes to have the addition completed by 2020.
