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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Astor & Black Custom Clothiers Relocates Corporate Headquarters To Pembroke Pines, Florida

05/09/2012
Astor & Black Custom Clothiers will relocate its corporate headquarters from Columbus, Ohio to Pembroke Pines, creating an estimated 62 jobs in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

According to company officials Astor & Black will lease approximately 22,000 square feet of space at the Miami Herald Building at 2010 NW 150 Avenue in Pembroke Pines. The firm will invest $1.475 million in capital expenditures for construction and renovation, leasehold improvements and purchase of IT software, computer equipment, furniture, fixtures and other equipment.

The company will also provide indirect economic benefits for the local economy as it typically has 20 to 30 sales representatives visit its headquarters each month for a week at a time, who will stay at local hotels and dine at local restaurants, a company spokesman said. In addition, the headquarters will attract other professionals, such as vendors and designers, and plans to hold two sales conferences locally each year.

Gov. Rick Scott, Enterprise Florida, the City of Pembroke Pines and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council offered a package of incentives to attract the company's headquarters totalling $554,000. The package includes $434,000 from the Qualified Target Industries Tax Refund Program,and $80,000 from the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund, along with $40,000 in a Quick Action Closing Fund Direct Cash Incentive from the City of Pembroke Pines for the hiring local residents.

Richard Dent, Astor & Black, Co-Chief Executive Officer said "Finding a locale that best supports the aspiration of the brand and a facility that meets the rapidly expanding space needs of the business, was a critical component of the company's comprehensive growth strategy."

"The decision to choose Pembroke Pines, Florida and the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area as the ultimate location for our headquarters was made easy based on several key decision factors, including but not limited to the enhanced ability to attract world class talent, the access to direct air travel and the quality of the local talent pool in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. The leadership and support of Florida Governor Rick Scott, City of Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council Chairman Ray Ferrero, Jr., and many others were critical to the selection of Pembroke Pines," Dent added.

"Astor & Black's choice of Florida reflects our state's ability to provide the talent, resources and partnerships that can help progressive companies achieve their business goals," said Gray Swoope, president & Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Florida Inc.

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