Total Quality Logistics to create 100 new jobs in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- Total Quality Logistics will be expanding in Sarasota and creating 100 new jobs, Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday.

"I am proud to announce TQL is continuing to grow in Florida and will be creating 100 new jobs for Sarasota families," Scott said in a written statement of TQL, considered one of the largest freight-brokerage firms in the United States. "By supporting economic growth and cutting taxes more than 55 times since 2010, we are making it easier for Florida businesses to create new opportunities across our state. I look forward to seeing TQL's continued success in Florida."

According to a release, the expansion will create a capital investment of approximately $600,000 in the community and will be the company's seventh location in Florida. There are already operations in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin said the city is happy about the expansion.

"Downtown Sarasota, as you know, is a business center. We have 2.3 million square feet of offices," he said. "Last count, we had about 25,000 jobs that were based in downtown Sarasota and we're happy and thrilled that they will be joining the community and we think that they will love it here."

According to a release issued by the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, the creation of new jobs is expected to take place by 2020. The office in Sarasota is set to open with a founding team of six current employees and plans to bring on at least four people in its first hiring class prior to opening.

Mark Motz, communications specialist for TQL, said the target opening date is June 6.

"Sarasota will be our seventh office in Florida, so that's kind of exciting for us. To have that many offices in one state, that says a lot of about the state itself that our folks want to be there," Motz said. "When we are looking to expand, we're looking for two things -- access to professional talent and places where our people want to be. And, obviously, those two things came together in Sarasota and we were able to make this announcement today."

Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw said in a written statement that "the city of Sarasota looks forward to welcoming its newest corporate citizen to our great community. TQL's capital investment and job creation is a welcome boost to our local economy."

TQL Sarasota is hiring and interested applicants may visit tqljobs.com for information.

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Total Quality Logistics to create 100 new jobs in Sarasota ."