TAMPA, Fla. (October 19, 2016) – Johnson & Johnson, a global healthcare leader, celebrated the grand opening of its new $23 million North American shared services headquarters in Tampa today. The company announced its selection of Florida for the new Center in the fall of 2015. More than 250 employees already work in the 88,500-square-foot facility and an additional 250 professionals will be hired over the next three years.

The new Global Services Center is part of a broader network of Johnson & Johnson centers that are designed to handle work for its operating companies in the areas of finance, human resources, information technology and procurement.

At the dedication event, Dominic Caruso, Johnson & Johnson’s Chief Financial Officer discussed the importance of workforce as a major reason for selecting Tampa. “Last year, almost one-quarter of Johnson & Johnson’s new hires were young professionals under the age of 35. Tampa provides a great source of managerial-level talent due to the presence of other shared service providers in the community.”

Erin Champlin, Vice President of Johnson & Johnson Global Services said, “Today we celebrate the opening of this new center as the latest advancement in the proud history of the world’s largest and most broadly-based health care company. This new center expands our strong business presence within Florida and we are excited to be a more active member of this vibrant Tampa community.”

As a right-to-work state with zero personal income tax and low corporate tax rates, Florida offers businesses a pro-growth business climate with fewer roadblocks and governmental regulations. And with more than 170 universities, colleges and technical institutes located throughout the state, Florida provides its companies a highly-skilled workforce and abundant opportunities for training.

The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.

“Hillsborough County’s high concentration of exceptionally skilled life sciences, information technology, and finance professionals provides an ideal workforce mix for Johnson & Johnson’s North American shared services headquarters,” said the Hon. Sandy Murman, Chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. “We are excited to welcome Johnson & Johnson, and thank them for bringing excellent jobs and investing in our community.”

“Tampa offers everything Johnson & Johnson needs to attract and retain the best talent for their new North American shared services headquarters,” said Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa. “Our city has become a magnet for well-educated millennials, and our lifestyle and business climate can’t be beat. Johnson & Johnson made the right choice in choosing Tampa, and we look forward to supporting their growth here for decades to come.”

Johnson & Johnson joins an increasing number of global companies that have decided to locate or expand operations in Tampa and Hillsborough County, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Covidien, Amazon, and Ashley Furniture Industries.

“Tampa and Hillsborough County have an excellent track record of cross-disciplinary innovation in health care and life sciences, information technology, and financial and professional services,” said Dr. Ronald Vaughn, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation Chairman and University of Tampa President. “These strengths have positioned us a desirable destination for corporate and regional headquarters operations and factored into Johnson & Johnson’s decision to choose Tampa over at least two other states that competed for this project. Hillsborough County is in the midst of an exciting period of growth and transformation, and that momentum is attracting corporations that see very promising futures here.”

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About Johnson & Johnson:
Caring for the world, one person at a time, inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science – bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 126,500 employees at more than 265 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.

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