PRESTIGE PACKAGING TO LOCATE IN LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

The Economic Development Office is pleased to announce that Prestige Packaging, INC., a pharmaceutical packaging company, has decided to move their company offices, sales, production and warehousing operations to Lee County, Florida.

Prestige Packaging, INC. will initially begin packaging OTC pharmaceuticals. However, their long-term plans include the establishment of a pharmaceutical production unit in Southwest Florida. Prestige Packaging, INC is a division of UniFirst First Aid/Green Guard www.greenguard.com, one of the largest First Aid Service companies in the United States.

The company plans to create a minimum of 24 new jobs in the first year with an additional 5-10 in the second year. Average annual salaries are estimated at more than 150% of the current Lee County average wage. Prestige Packaging will be located at 17080 Alico Commerce Court in Fort Myers, Florida. The move is scheduled for completion in January 05.

The Economic Development Office (EDO) has been working with Prestige Packaging for approximately three months, aiding the Company's decision to locate to the area. Prestige Packaging chose Lee County after considering several other areas throughout the Southeast United States.

Their decision to relocate here shows Lee County's value as a site for business development. Like many companies, they saw the advantage of doing business here.

Vice President, Todd Lewis stated, "Lee County offers a quality workforce, strong infrastructure and high quality of life. After comparing several sites nationally, these factors are what ultimately brought us here. We are also very excited about our new facility in Alico Commerce Court and the close proximity to the university and airport."