It Works Global to Relocate Corporate Headquarters to Manatee County, Plans 90 Jobs

BRADENTON - It Works Global Inc. will relocate its corporate headquarters from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Manatee County in January 2011 - a move that will add 90 jobs over the next three years, according to It Works CEO Mark Pentecost. The company qualified for state and local performance-based incentives totaling $799,785.
 
It Works' innovative products have made the company a trailblazer in the direct sales industry, Pentecost said. One of its flagship products, the Ultimate Body Applicator™, is a naturally based, detoxifying, body-contouring wrap that produces tightening, toning and firming results in 45 minutes, he said. The company also offers an extensive array of premium nutritional supplements and a line of luxury skincare products.
 
This exclusive lineup of products represents It Works' mission to help others "look younger and live longer" - a philosophy that has captured the attention of a loyal, recession-proof following of consumers, Pentecost said. In fact, the 10-year-old company has experienced exponential growth, and doubled the number of employees each year for the past three years.
 
"We're excited to welcome It Works Global to Manatee County," said Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee Economic Development Council, which is assisting It Works with the relocation. "With the help of performance-based incentives approved by the Manatee Board of County Commissioners and the State of Florida, we were able to focus the company's relocation plans toward Manatee County, which will generate good jobs for local residents."
 
The company is planning to renovate the Stoneybrook Golf Club facility in Bradenton.  Director of Distributor Relations Steve Neeson explains, "We are looking forward to pampering our distributors by regularly hosting red carpet events, leadership retreats and training seminars. It will also serve as a place for our distributors to come relax and enjoy their time together."
 
It Works will lease additional space at another Bradenton location. Pentecost expects the corporate headquarters to be operating in Manatee County in January 2011.  "At It Works Global we really embrace an inspiring, youthful, active, and vibrant corporate culture," explained Pentecost. "The fact that we will now be operating out of the beautiful Stoneybrook Golf Club in the sunny state of Florida will amplify these values. Within three years, we plan to move much of our operations down to Manatee County."
 
"Our corporate office shares its success with a close-knit community of approximately 18,000 independent distributors who conduct sales in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia," said Director of Marketing Pam Sowder. It Works Independent Distributor Denise Walsh explains, "Mark wants others to experience the same success that he has, and now works tirelessly to give people an amazing opportunity with It Works."
 
Over the next three years, Pentecost plans to develop a call center and shipping operations in Manatee County. The company's executive team and some of its existing 45-member staff will make the move to Bradenton, and additional employees will be recruited in the areas of accounting and finance, customer service, creative functions, marketing, and project management. Candidates for career opportunities with It Works Global should send email to projectparadise@itworks.net.
 
The state is contributing $432,000 toward a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund (QTI) with High Impact Sector Bonus (HIPI) for the project. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved a local match of $108,000 for the QTI incentive, which is a rebate of taxes paid by the company, as well as an Economic Development Incentive Grant of $180,000 and a transportation impact fee refund estimated at $79,785 for the construction of a new facility. The county's participation requires that the company provide an annual average wage that is at least 15 percent higher than the county average. A full list of Manatee County's economic development incentives can be found at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev.
 
"By judiciously applying local performance-based incentives to this project, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners continues to demonstrate its commitment to working with the Manatee Economic Development Council and the State of Florida in supporting the growth of good jobs in our community," said Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.
 
Pentecost noted that before he narrowed his focus to Manatee County, he worked with both the Manatee EDC and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. "We all met together, and it was seamless, like one organization just trying to help make the best decision possible for my business," he said. "The assistance we have received has been well organized and well run. We're confident that as we make the move, our people will feel welcome and at home in Florida. It Works Global is looking forward to building a relationship with the people and community of Manatee County."