UTC to keep headquarters here, plans to add 23 jobs

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The Lakewood Ranch-based United Technologies Corp. announced Friday that several divisions of its business unit, UTC Fire & Security, will maintain Manatee County as its headquarters.

Manatee County approved local and state incentives for the company due to concern UTC Fire & Security might choose to relocate several company divisions after United Technologies acquired GE Security earlier this year.

UTC Fire & Security President William Brown announced its three divisions — Global Security Products, Global Fire Products and Fire & Security Services — will maintain its Lakewood Ranch facility off Town Center Parkway and projects it will add 23 jobs to its current workforce of 227.

“We wanted to improve our competitive position and consolidate some overlapping activities that resulted from the GE Security acquisition,” said John Moran, spokesman for United Technologies Corp, which is based in Farmington, Conn.

The 23 jobs will be created over the next two to three years due to anticipated growth in the UTC Fire & Security division, which provides fire safety and security solutions.

The Manatee County Board of Commissioners approved a match for state incentives and a local grant that will total no more than $92,000 over the next five years.

“This ensures that the operations and the jobs associated with the local facility will not only remain, but will grow,” said Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council in a news release.