Health Care Product Provider Coming to Tampa, Bringing 165 Jobs

Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday that health care product provider Covidien will establish a medical-device manufacturing facility in Hillsborough County. The project will create up to 165 new jobs and $18 million in capital investment by 2017.

The company has pioneered a number of medical advances over the years, including pulse oximetry, electrosurgery, surgical stapling, laparoscopic instrumentation, and embolization devices.

According to a press release, Covidien chose Tampa Bay thanks in part to its strong workforce pipeline and the regional business climate.

Covidiens decision to expand their medical-device manufacturing footprint in the state is great news for Florida families," said Rick Scott. "After our elimination of the sales tax on manufacturing equipment, job-creating businesses like Covidien are choosing Florida to expand and grow. This announcement is great news and we will continue working hard to provide more jobs and opportunities for Florida families.

We are pleased to locate a medical devices manufacturing facility in Hillsborough County, said Phil Devlin, vice president and general manager of Covidien. We specifically selected Hillsborough County for several reasons, including its talented workforce and the Tampa Bay regions business climate, economy and quality of life. Our new facility will not only provide jobs for the local community, it will support Floridas growing life-science industry as well.

Florida has nearly 1,000 biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and a foundation of more than 44,000 health care establishments.

Covidien is leasing temporary space in Sabal Park, with plans to occupy a 62,200-square-foot facility in Riverview by mid-2014.