Gov. Rick Scott and Orlando area leaders on Thursday officially welcomed the prospects of 213 new therapeutic jobs from a Minnesotapharmaceutical distribution company.
St. Paul-based Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefit management company,is expected to be based atSouthridge Commerce Park in Orlando, locating inside a 55,000-square-foot building.
The company -- collectively owned by 13 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans -- has promised to grow from the 135 pharmacists and registered nurses, and billing and distribution already employed in Orlando to 213 within three years as part of an $18.1 million capital investment.
That 130 families ... are better off because Prime selected Orlando, Scott said after touring the new office.
Scott also noted this is another step on his quest to create 700,000 jobs in seven years. The mark currently stands around 150,000 since January 2011.
Orlando, with a favorable regulatory environment, already serves as a major hub for specialty pharmaceutics, as about 70 percent of all such prescription narcotics are distributed out of Central Florida, according to documents from the mayors office.
Prime President and CEO Eric Elliott pointed to the states diverse and educated work force and the distribution infrastructure already in place.
Were certain to get to that 213 as part of our commitment on time, if not well ahead of that, Elliott said.
Besides the state, Enterprise Florida, Orange County, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, CNL Real Estate Group, Progress Energy and Workforce Florida were involved in recruiting Prime.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
