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Citrix to expand, asks Broward for incentives
[January 15, 2013]

Citrix to expand, asks Broward for incentives


Jan 15, 2013 (Sun Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Citrix Systems, a company that develops products so employees can work anywhere online, could be granted nearly $2 million in economic incentives for creating an additional 200 jobs in Broward County.



The company, which currently employs 1,500 in Fort Lauderdale, is expected to add jobs in software engineering, marketing and sales.

Local incentives totaling $1.6 million are on the Broward County Commission's agenda for Tuesday's meeting. Another $250,000 is being awarded by Gov. Rick Scott from his discretionary fund to close deals, said Bob Swindell, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward's economic development agency.


Citrix's expansion "really validates our whole premise that there are successful technologies in Southeast Florida," said Swindell.

The average annual salary of the jobs would be $84,678, according to the county application.

City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County incentives would total $1.6 million, including incentives of $5,000 per job created and $2,000 in tax refunds per job created.

Fort Lauderdale approved the city portion, which is 10 percent of the local incentive, on Dec. 18, 2012. On Feb. 5, the city is scheduled to consider $100,000 in cash incentives.

The company is also applying for an award from the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund, a discretionary fund used by Gov. Rick Scott to close a deal when a company may be considering other states to locate jobs.

Citrix notes in its application that it considered expansions in the Western United States or Asia. If it expands in Fort Lauderdale, the company said it would spend $7.5 million to renovate existing office space at its current corporate headquarters.

The company was already in growth mode during 2012, hiring workers in sales, technical support and consulting for its prime desktop virtualization business.

Citrix, which employs 8,000 globally, is the only South Florida headquarters to be named to Glassdoor.com's "50 Best Places to Work in 2013" list. Eighty-five percent of employees giving feedback say they would recommend the company.

During the first half of 2012, Citrix added about 250 employees, and 30 percent were based in Fort Lauderdale.

The software company was founded by South Florida entrepreneur Ed Iacobucci in 1989 but is led by chief executive Mark Templeton since 1999.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2012, Citrix recorded revenue of $641 million, compared to $565 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, a 13 percent increase.

To see current job openings, go to the "Careers" tab on Citrix.com.

[email protected], 561-243-6650 ___ (c)2013 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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