Governor Scott Announces Cognizant to Expand and Create 75 New Jobs in Tampa Area
September 5, 2017
TAMPA, Fla. –(Sept. 5, 2017) – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Cognizant Technology Solutions, a global provider of business and technology services, will expand operations in Tampa and create 75 new jobs. This expansion will be the company’s fourth facility in Tampa and will focus primarily on healthcare organizations services and support. Cognizant currently employs more than 1,900 Floridians, with over half based in the Tampa area.
Cognizant has more than 100 delivery and operations centers worldwide, employing more than 255,000 globally, and is one of the largest providers of services to healthcare organizations in the U.S. This new expansion builds on Cognizant’s $5.7 million investment made in 2014 which led to the creation of 400 new local jobs. Cognizant also has growing partnerships with Career Source Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Community College to develop technology training courses for students and help put them on the path toward careers in the new digital economy.
Cognizant Chief People Officer James Lennox said, “Florida is a great place to do business and we are delighted to make this expansion. A number of Cognizant clients, particularly in the healthcare and financial services industry, are based in Tampa and surrounding Hillsborough County, and we’re pleased to continue expanding our footprint as we see demand for our services continue to grow. Tampa and the State of Florida overall provide the type of robust infrastructure critical to supporting our business needs as a technology company, thanks in part to the continued efforts of Governor Scott and his team. Cognizant benefits from a local talent pool fed by the State’s post-secondary education system and the high concentration of skilled military veterans and their spouses. We also appreciate the thriving array of academic institutions, government and non-profit organizations available to partner with us in driving STEM education and reskilling initiatives that are central to our business philosophy as one of the nation’s largest employers of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professionals.”
Florida is home to over 27,000 high tech companies that employ more than 237,000 professionals. The Tampa Bay region is the state’s largest and fastest growing tech hub. This project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Hillsborough County, and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida’s families and the local economy will benefit from Cognizant’s expansion and investment in the Tampa area. These new jobs will add a variety of opportunities for hardworking Floridians in the healthcare, business and technology industries. We are proud that they chose the Sunshine State for our low taxes, ideal business climate and valuable workforce.”
Voltair Consulting Engineers President and CEO and Enterprise Florida board member Julius Davis said, “Florida is one of the best places to do business, and Cognizant’s growth in the Tampa area is just another example of what happens when state leaders focus on job creation. I commend Governor Scott for the business-friendly policies that he has championed to encourage continued job creation across Florida.”
Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Stacy White said, “As a global organization, Cognizant had many locations to choose from for this expansion. We are thankful that they’ve chosen to invest further in Hillsborough County, and look forward to continuing to support their growth.”
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation Chairman and Hillsborough Community College President Dr. Ken Atwater said, “Thanks to the ample supply of diverse and highly skilled talent that Hillsborough County produces and attracts, technology-centric businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations are finding the workforce they need to compete and grow here.”
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Cognizant (NASDAQ-100: CTSH) is one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant is ranked 205 on the Fortune 500 and is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com or follow us @Cognizant.
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.
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation is the lead designated economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works to develop and sustain a thriving local economy through the attraction, retention and expansion of high wage jobs and capital investment within targeted industry sectors.
Hillsborough County is the commercial and industrial heart of Tampa Bay. The fourth largest county in the state of Florida, Hillsborough is home to nearly 1.3 million residents, with thousands more arriving each year. Its strength is drawn from being one of the most advanced economies and having one of the most educated workforces in the state. Hillsborough County and its three municipalities –Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace — offer a competitive business environment and an abundance of regional assets including Port Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport, and MacDill Air Force Base. County government is focused on creating economic prosperity for residents and businesses throughout the area.
