Colt’s Manufacturing Co. today announced its commitment to create 63 jobs in Osceola County for its new regional headquarters and product manufacturing center.

The center will hire people for engineering and manufacturing jobs, among others. In 2012, Colt's is projected to begin phasing in the first of 63 jobs paying an average salary of $45,060 to be created during the following three years.

Gov. Rick Scott and Colt’s Manufacturing President and CEO Lt. Gen. M. William Keys USMC (Ret.) were joined by Osceola County commissioners for the announcement, which was made at the Florida Cattlemen's Association office in Kissimmee.

“As a supporter of new job creation and the Second Amendment, this announcement sends the clear message that Florida is both open for business and a defender of our right to bear arms,” Scott said. “My primary responsibility as governor is to be our state’s chief advocate for job creation. My personal involvement in bringing Colt to Florida demonstrates my administration’s deep commitment to rebuilding our economy.”

Colt's Manufacturing is making a $2.5 million capital investment in a vacant building, which the company will lease (the former Osceola County Council on Aging facility on Shady Lane), that is owned by Osceola County. Scott and his economic development team at Enterprise Florida Inc. and the Osceola County Economic Development Department worked with Colt's to bring this project to fruition, according to a press release from the governor's office.

State incentives include $250,000 from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund and funds for workforce training. Osceola County is offering additional incentives, including renovation of the building and rent concessions.

“Colt's looked at many possible sites across the nation, but we ultimately decided to locate our new facility in the state of Florida,” Keys said. “Florida offered a strong pro-business incentive package. Coupled with the low cost of doing business in Florida and a favorable regulatory environment, opening this new facility was very attractive to us. Gov. Scott’s personal commitment to both Colt’s growth plan and America’s right to bear arms was instrumental in our decision.”

“Attracting an American icon like Colt's, which is one of the world’s top brands, is a real coup for our economic development efforts,” County Commission Chairman John Quiñones said. “Beyond creating new, high-wage jobs, Colt's is going to be a great asset to our community.”

“Colt's expansion to Osceola County is a perfect fit for the region,” Sanford Shugart, president of Valencia College, which will design a specialized training program for the company, said. “Valencia College stands ready to deliver the best trained, best educated workforce possible. We welcome Colt's Manufacturing Company to Osceola County and commit to partnering with them and serving their employees and families for many years to come."