Area Development
Dart Container plans to Invest $14 million to expand its Plant City, Florida, operations center, with the construction of a 400,000 square foot distribution center in eastern Hillsborough County that is expected to generate 24 jobs.

The world’s largest manufacturer of foam cups, Dart Container Corporation has approximately 230 employees at its 480,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Plant City. Dart’s 2012 acquisition of Solo Cup Company expanded the company’s product offerings and spurred the need for additional warehouse space in Florida. Construction of the new building is expected to begin in the next two months, with estimated completion in mid-2014.

“This is incredible news for the residents of Plant City, and we thank Dart Container for its continued commitment to our community,” said Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis. “As we work to bring more quality jobs and investment to Plant City, Dart Container stands out as a true story of partnership and success. We expect this to be the first of many announcements as we grow our business base.”

Last year, the City of Plant City approved a moratorium on the collection of transportation mobility fees to increase the community’s competitiveness in pursuing high-impact economic development projects. As a result of this program, Dart Container will receive a fee waiver of $139,200. Additional project assistance was provided by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance.

“Plant City and eastern Hillsborough County play a critical role in the economic growth of our region,” said David Pizzo, the 2013 Chairman of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and Market President, West Florida Region for Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company. “Through a partnership with the City of Plant City and Tampa Electric Company & Peoples Gas (TECO), we’ve committed dedicated resources to identifying new opportunities for the attraction, expansion and retention of jobs in this area. The exciting announcement by Dart Container reinforces the success of that initiative and serves as a milestone for future efforts.”