Travel company may move

Unnamed firm would relocate to Plantation if the incentives are right.

Broward County and the city of Plantation are competing for an international headquarters that would create 300 jobs, according to agenda items published by both local governments.

The undisclosed “travel-leisure” company, described as a “disruptor in the industry,” could just get in under the wire if the state Legislature proceeds to kill Enterprise Florida and economic incentives tied to job creation.

A Florida House committee passed a bill Wednesday that would kill state funding for economic development and tourism programs. Bill sponsor Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said he wants to remove specialized subsidies for favored industries such as tourism.

The bill still must clear more hurdles at the committee level in the House and Senate.

“The Florida House members are really playing a dangerous game right now,” said Bob Swindell, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. He was in Tallahassee trying to persuade lawmakers to retain the state’s economic incentive programs.

The bill still has to pass the Florida Senate, and would require the signature of Gov. Rick Scott, who opposes it.

For the travel-leisure company, a total of $1.5 million in economic incentives could be awarded, including $1.2 million from the state, and $150,000 each from Broward and Plantation.

Like all such projects, those dollars remain in escrow until the company fulfills capital investment, and verified job creation and retention requirements.

The county commission is scheduled to consider the incentives Tuesday for the unnamed company, which would make a $15.9 million capital investment.

The new jobs would pay an average wage of $52,938. The incentive awards also would require the company to retain 10 existing jobs.

The company currently employs 30 people in Florida, according to the commission agenda item.