Governor Rick Scott today announced that iSirona, an information technology company that provides solutions for medical device integration, will expand its operations in Panama City, creating 300 new jobs and a capital investment of $2.25 million.
Governor
Scott said, “iSirona’s expansion in Panama City will create 300 jobs which is
great news for Florida families. For its expansion, iSirona considered other
locations like California, Texas and Virginia, but chose Florida for our great
business climate. There have been more than 365,000 private-sector jobs created
in the last two years and our unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in
five years. Florida provides job creators with a great workforce and the
opportunity for growth, but we still have more work to do to build a diverse
economy that will create jobs for generations to come.”
Established
in 2008 and headquartered in Panama City, iSirona helps clinicians make more
informed decisions about patients by providing an easy-to-use approach for
medical device integration. iSirona was ranked "One of America's Most
Promising Companies" in 2013 by Forbes magazine and as the fifth
fastest-growing private company in U.S. healthcare in 2012 by Inc. Magazine.
Since
the beginning of 2012, iSirona has grown from 31 employees to over 180, and
this expansion will triple its workforce to more than 400 employees.
Dave
Dyell, CEO of iSirona said, “We consider Florida and Panama City to be partners
in iSirona’s success. We continue to be pleased with the statewide commitment
to nurture the high-tech sector; our outstanding universities and community
colleges that are wonderful resources; and our ability to recruit top talent
that appreciates the local lifestyle. We are delighted that our ongoing success
is bringing more high-value jobs to Panama City.”
The
company received a $1.5 million grant from the Industry Recruitment, Retention
& Expansion Fund (IRREF) Grant Program, which is administered by the
University of West Florida. The IRREF Grant Program was created as a result of
S.B. 2156, authored by Senate President Don Gaetz. The Oil Spill Recovery Act
was an important component of S.B. 2156. The Act allots $10 million per year
for three years to eight Northwest Florida counties for the purposes of
research and development, commercialization of research, economic
diversification and job creation.
“iSirona
could be in Silicon Valley but because of the highly competitive business
incentives created by Florida’s Legislature and Governor Scott, they located in
what they like to call Silicon Bay in Northwest Florida,” said Senate President
Don Gaetz. “Helping our successful businesses stay and expand sends the right
message to private sector job creators looking to expand or relocate to Florida
and is key to Northwest Florida’s continued recovery from the impacts of the
Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill.”
Representative
Marti Coley said, “Governor Scott and his team have worked hard to make Florida
more welcoming to innovators, and today we’re seeing the fruits of their labor.
By providing 300 good jobs, iSirona will further put our community on the map
as a great place for business."
Representative
Jimmy Patronis said, “iSirona’s expansion means 300 new jobs and opportunities
for families in Panama City. I want to thank Governor Scott and the local
economic development team for making Panama City a great place for businesses
to succeed.”
Florida's Software
and Computer Systems Design and Integration industry is one of the
largest in the U.S, with some 12,600 firms. Nearly half of the 80,000+
professionals who work in the field are employed by software development firms,
and the remaiing working in related technology-intensive industries throughout
the state.
Secretary
of Commerce and president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Gray Swoope said,
“The consolidation of iSirona’s operations in Panama City is telling of the
proactivity of the high-tech industry in Florida. The strong research and
development network and exceptional workforce in Florida will help companies
like iSirona continue their product development and successful innovation.”
This
project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise
Florida, the University of West Florida, Bay County Economic Development
Alliance, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, City of Panama City,
Bay County Board of County Commissioners, and the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.
“This
is a great day for Bay County,” said Chairman Guy Tunnell, Bay County Board of
County Commissioners. “It’s gratifying to see locally based businesses prosper
and expand. We’re thrilled about the fact that we’ve been able to work together
with other entities to create a business-friendly environment in which iSirona
feels confident and comfortable to move forward.”
“iSirona
has been an integral part of the downtown Panama City fabric and, now with this
significant growth, will continue to be a catalyst to help complete the
redevelopment of the downtown area,” said Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki.
“iSirona
is known for its innovation and user friendly medical device integration, and their
expansion to Panama City adds to the continually growing list of information
technology companies that have found Florida’s pro-business climate a perfect
fit for their company,” said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida
Department of Economic Opportunity. “Company expansions like iSirona’s are an
integral part of Florida’s economic turnaround.”
