German-Based Solar Company Eyes St. Pete, 260 Jobs

A German-based photovoltaics company is negotiating to open its U.S. headquarters in St. Pete. Plans include building a solar power plant in St. Pete along with the headquarters, which could mean approximately 260 jobs locally.

“There will be two sectors, a manufacturing arm which builds solar components with approximately 100 (jobs) and then an actual solar power plant itself with 160 jobs,” says Mario Farias, managing partner of the Farias Marketing Group (FMG). Farias was chosen by the solar company to manage public relations in the U.S.

Farias says that the name of the company will not be released until negotiations on the project are complete, which may be in early September. In the meantime the Pinellas Economic Development Council along with Mayor Bill Foster’s office and the Chamber of Commerce are working together to make the deal happen.

“The company was looking at New Jersey or Pennsylvania, but through some lobbying by FMG on behalf of the city, we were able to show them the benefits of coming here,” says Farias. “Those benefits include the availability of land here for a solar power plant, the talented labor force and favorable business environment.”

If the deal goes through, the firm would offer an array of opportunities for job seekers. “There will be all levels of manufacturing, from general employment to assembly, marketing, shipping and administrative functions,” says Farias. “Basically any job associated with a factory will be created and filled.”

The exact location for the solar power plant have not been released yet as negotiations are ongoing, however, it is expected that the old Toytown landfill in St. Pete will be chosen.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Mario Farias, Farias Marketing Group