Contact: Pamela L. Cox
Economic Development
(239) 338-3161
(office)
(239) 851-8973
(cell)
Chico’s to expand
in Lee County
Fort Myers, Fla. (January
24, 2003)---The Economic Development Office of Lee County announced today that
Chico’s FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS), a niche clothier that sells exclusively
designed private-label women’s clothing and accessories, will expand its
business operations in Lee County.
Expansion
plans call for increasing the size of the company’s national call center and
MIS operations, along with locating their new Pazo division at Chico’s
corporate headquarters in Fort Myers. This
expansion will result in 84 new full-time jobs with an annual wage of more than
200% of the Lee County average wage, and an economic impact of $9.8million in
wages and benefits. An additional
41 indirect jobs will be created as a result of the expansion.
“We
are delighted Chico’s has made the decision to expand its business operations
in Lee County,” says Janet Watermeier, Lee County’s Economic Development
Director. “Chico’s decision is
a testament to the very factors that make Lee County a successful site for
corporate headquarter locations: a
favorable business climate, qualified workforce and outstanding lifestyle.”
-More-
According
to Chico’s President and COO Scott Edmonds, “Although Pazo is an entirely separate division with a very
different customer base and independent design, product development and field
management teams, there are definite economies of scale in keeping core services
co-located. In addition, the
business climate and available workforce in Lee County are definite advantages
to expanding our call center and MIS operations here.”
“I
would also like to thank Janet Watermeier and the Lee County Economic
Development Office for their support and effort during this process,” Edmonds
added.
Pazo
is Chico’s new line of clothing and accessories targeting women 25 to
35-years-old and will
provide a cutting-edge retail experience for the contemporary, fashion-conscious
woman, with merchandise presented in a boutique atmosphere that is unique and
fun. Pazo’s
operations in Lee County will create 48 out of the 84 jobs, with the remaining
job creation split between the call center and MIS functions.
-END-
The
Economic Development Office of Lee County works to attract new and diversified
businesses resulting in high-wage, high-skilled jobs; retains and encourages the
expansion of existing businesses; and improves the overall business environment
in Lee County. www.leecountybusiness.com.
About
Chico’s