TAMPA, Fla. - Today, Governor Scott attended the grand opening of Ashley Furniture’s new Global Retail & Ecommerce Offices. The new facility has already created 40 new jobs, and currently employs 200 Floridians. Ashley Furniture currently has more than 30 locations across the state and employs more than 600 Floridians.

Governor Scott said, “I am excited to celebrate the grand opening of Ashley Furniture’s new offices in Tampa and the creation of 40 new jobs. While Ashley Furniture could have chosen to invest in any other of their locations, they knew that Florida was the best place to grow their business and create new jobs. By cutting $1 billion in taxes and creating the new $250 million dedicated Florida Enterprise Fund this year, we want more companies like Ashley Furniture to grow in Florida.”

With over 50 years of innovation and experience in the furniture industry, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. has become a leading manufacturer of quality furniture products. In addition, Ashley Furniture supports more than 9,000 vendors throughout the United States. The company has more than 600 locations in 28 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide.

“We appreciate the hospitality of the City of Tampa and the State of Florida and are proud to contribute to the revitalization of Ybor City,” said Todd Wanek, President and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries. “With a new state-of-the-art facility, our talented associates are enthusiastic to deliver a strong brand and retail excellence to our customers around the globe.”

Bill Johnson, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said “Ashley Furniture’s expansion is great news for Florida, as it will continue create jobs, invest in the community, and diversify our economy. We will continue to help great companies like Ashley Furniture grow and expand in Florida as we become the global leader in job creation.”

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, "Florida's business-friendly environment has encouraged another Florida-based business, Ashley Furniture, to expand in our state. By continuing to invest in pro-growth policies like tax cuts and supporting the $250 million investment in the Florida Enterprise Fund, the state will continue to reap the benefits of business expansion and relocation for years to come."

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Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is one of the largest manufacturers of furniture in the world. Ashley is committed to delivering the best values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers in more than 100 countries across the globe. From design through fulfillment, Ashley continuously strives to be the world’s best furniture company. For more information on Ashley and its products, visit www.ashleyfurniture.com.