Scott: Coca-Cola Investment to Add 60 Jobs in Polk County

Coca-Cola Refreshments is adding 60 jobs while investing $99 million to expand its Main Street juice production facility in Auburndale, Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday.

Coca-Colas choice of Auburndale for its expansion is a testament to the states supportive business environment and strong capabilities for serving corporate and manufacturing needs, Scott stated in a release. "Its also an outcome of our city and county partners commitment to growing Floridas manufacturing base to build a healthier economy.

Coca-Colas decision to add the juice production line for Simply, one of the Atlanta-based soft drink giants fastest growing brands, at the 720,000-square-foot facility in Auburndale, came with$180,000 in incentives.

The 10-year-old Main Street facility, which currently employees 361 full-time workers, started producing Simply Orange in 2003.

Troy Ellis, senior vice president of manufacturing for Coca-Cola Refreshments, said in a release that the investment strengthens the soft drink companys ties to Auburndale, Polk County and the state.

Through Coca-Colas public-private partnership with the state of Florida, Polk County and the city of Auburndale, we are putting more people to work and strengthening the local community, Ellis stated in the release.While Coca-Cola is a global company, we are integral parts of the communities where we operate and our associates live and work.

Coca-Cola can receive up to $180,000 in tax rebates through the Qualified Target Industry Fund, which requires 20 percent funding from Auburndale and Polk County.

We are so pleased that Coca-Cola Refreshments chose to expand operations here in Auburndale, Mayor Keith Cowie stated in a release. Coca-Cola has proven to be a great business neighbor to the Auburndale community. The jobs are so important to improving the economic climate here in Polk County.

Polk County also received $400,000 from the state for road upgrades needed for the expansion that will be paid through the state Economic Development Transportation Fund.

Coca-Cola is a model corporate citizen in Polk County and we are thankful for the positive impact it has on our local community by putting people to work and investing in our community, Polk County Commission Chairman Sam Johnson stated in a release.

Additional facility improvements include manufacturing, telecommunications and technology upgrades, along with expanding the size of the facility by more than 20 percent.

The Auburndale facility is one of Coca-Colas 34 manufacturing plants and distribution centers. The company employs more than 6,000 in Florida.