Feld Entertainment Announces Relocation of its Global Operations Headquarters

PALMETTO – Feld Entertainment, Inc., in conjunction with the Manatee Economic Development Corporation, officials from the State of Florida and Manatee County Government, today are pleased to announce the new location for the company’s worldwide production headquarters in Ellenton, Fla.  Feld Entertainment produces the most well-known brands in live family entertainment, including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Monster Jam and other Feld Motor Sports productions. The company’s new Ellenton global production facility will allow for growth that cannot be accommodated at the company’s current location in nearby Palmetto.

“We are very excited to move our global operations headquarters to this new location,” said Feld Entertainment Chairman and CEO Kenneth Feld. “This new facility will enable us to consolidate many of our operations in Ellenton so that we can continue to create the high quality live family entertainment spectaculars that our customers around the world expect. We are grateful to the State of Florida and Governor Rick Scott, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners, the Manatee Economic Development Corporation, and all of the other state and county officials who have helped to make this move a reality,” he added.

“Feld Entertainment’s plan to make Florida its new home exemplifies the strength of the state’s business climate,” said Florida’s Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope.  “I would like to compliment Governor Rick Scott for providing the right atmosphere, talent and resources to help companies enhance their growth and productivity.” 

The move will preserve 148 local jobs and is projected to create 235 new high skill, high wage jobs in Manatee County over the next five years. “We are excited about the prospects for capital investment and job growth in Manatee County that will ensue from Feld Entertainment’s relocation and expansion,” said Sharon Hillstrom, MEDC president. “This project is the result of many months of coordination between the MEDC, county government, state officials and the company. We look forward to continuing to work with Feld on permitting and employee training as the facility plans move forward.”

Feld Entertainment’s new facility, located at 2001 North US 301, occupies 47 acres.  It will consolidate and house Feld Entertainment’s operations responsible for the design, production and support of the company’s global tours, including scenic design, costumes, sound and lighting, as well as the company’s circus train maintenance. The site includes 100,000 square feet of office space with an additional 450,000 square feet of manufacturing space in two buildings. The site was originally developed by The Siemens Corp. and most recently occupied by General Electric. Studley, Inc. served as Feld Entertainment’s real estate advisor for purchasing its new facility.

Feld Entertainment qualified for local and state performance-based incentives and training grants totaling $3,779,734.   The incentives include $1,174,765 from the state’s Qualified Targeted Industry fund, $650,000 from the Quick Action Closing Fund, and $1,500,334 from the Manatee County Government.

“The Feld Entertainment relocation represents a significant capital investment by the company and will help retain and grow jobs locally. By facilitating business expansion projects like this through appropriate incentives and expedited permitting, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners is working to improve the local economic climate for residents,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. A list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev.

Feld Entertainment will continue to occupy its corporate headquarters in Vienna, Va., but will gradually move its corporate operations to the new facility in Ellenton over the next five years.  Current rehearsal locations for circus, ice and stage shows will continue, although the new facility would allow for the creation of rehearsal space.

About Feld Entertainment: Feld Entertainment, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live family entertainment that lifts the human spirit and creates indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 70 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Feld Motor Sports.  More information is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.