FRIDAY , MARCH 10, 2006

Manufacturing facility to create more than 1,300 new jobs

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush today applauded Royal Concrete Concepts for their recent expansion to Okeechobee County. The company's new modular building manufacturing facility is expected to create more than 1,300 new high-wage jobs in rural South Florida. Royal Concrete Concepts is a national leader in the manufacturing of portable classroom buildings and modular buildings for federal use in the Southeast and the Caribbean. The expansion of Royal Concrete Concepts to Okeechobee includes a capital investment of more than $20 million, including real estate investment, the construction of a new manufacturing facility and the purchase of new manufacturing and business equipment.

"I congratulate Royal Concrete Concepts on their continued success and thank all those who have helped create a business climate in Florida that nourishes job growth and economic development," said Governor Bush. "We must continue to foster an environment that encourages capital investment and innovative partnerships and creates high-wage jobs for Floridians."

Royal Concrete Concepts was founded and is headquartered in Palm Beach County. Combining concrete, polystyrene and reinforced steel to create walls that can withstand hurricane-force winds, the award winning Royall Wall system provides an important alternative to conventional building materials. The Royall Wall system has since been expanded, integrating floors, walls and roofs into individual units that are manufactured in a factory-style process to ensure affordability.

"This is a wonderful milestone for Royal Concrete," said Wally Sanger, President of Royal Concrete. "This facility represents a five-fold expansion of our modular concrete manufacturing operation of residential homes, portable classroom buildings for school districts and modular buildings for the federal government. Local support is such an important factor in our ability to succeed. We're thrilled with this expansion, and so proud of the positive impact we have on the region." The Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development worked closely with the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners and Enterprise Florida to recruit this project to the state.

"With its convenient location and access to rail lines, Okeechobee County is the ideal location for Royal Concrete's new manufacturing facility," said Lynn Topel, Executive Director of Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative. "Royal Concrete is precisely the type of high-wage, high-value company that we're committed to helping, and we're excited to share in the success of their expansion."