UTC promises 100 more jobs for tax break

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Palm Beach Gardens officials agreed to give United Technologies an additional $140,000 in economic incentives to bring 100 more jobs to the $115 million technology showcase it built off Donald Ross Road.

The $140,000 is in addition to the $560,000 package that came before the City Council for “Project Knight” — UTC’s code name — in February. Palm Beach Gardens’ share of that package is $70,000, and the county’s is $70,000. The state will cover the rest.

In exchange for the $560,000 package, United Technologies will also be required to invest $25 million in its new building.

State law allows companies to ask for confidentiality when negotiating with an economic development agency for incentives, but “Project Knight” was somewhat of an open secret. It was described in city documents as the “world’s largest provider of building technologies,” which is how United Technologies brands its Climate, Controls & Security division on its website and in news releases.

Gov. Rick Scott and Bob McDonough, UTC Climate, Controls & Security president, removed all doubt as to the company’s identity when they announced the UTC’s plans to bring 100 more jobs to the city by 2021. They made the announcement during the April 17 ribbon-cutting for the Center for Intelligent Buildings, the showcase and offices off Donald Ross Road.

The jobs will have an average annual wage of $91,124.

The Palm Beach Gardens City Council approved the additional $140,000 — or $1,400 per employee — incentive without comment Thursday night.

UTC is the parent company of Pratt & Whitney, which has a huge jet engine manufacturing plant off the Beeline Highway. Pratt & Whitney opened here in 1958.