Success Stories

Through the matching of Osceola's best community resources and the needs of expanding corporations, we have been fortunate to receive the attention of many targeted projects. More important than their industry, however, is the fact that they provide a good “fit” for the community. The Economic Development Department's goal of creating high wage jobs and generating wealth is an integral part of diversifying Osceola's economy. These companies, along with placing themselves in an excellent community, have helped us accomplish this task.

Al's Sheet Metal

Al's Sheet Metal completed a recent expansion project with a capital investment of $1.8 million, which included the purchase of its building. The company specializes in fabrication of roof-related products, as well as air condition fabrication and custom fabrication with stainless and aluminum welding. Al's Sheet Metal has grown from a home-based operation with one (1) employee to now employing approximately 25 people. It is located at 1010 Dyer Blvd., Kissimmee, FL.

Lowe's

Lowe's Regional Distribution Center's renovation project included updating of the facility's truck loading area. When Lowe's Regional Distribution Center made the decision to locate their facility in Osceola County in 2003, they estimated hiring 600 employees. To date the facility, located on Ham Brown Road in Kissimmee, employs approximately 1,000 people.

Nucor Steel Birmingham, Inc.

Nucor Steel Birmingham, Inc. will open a facility in the Poinciana Industrial Park. The steel distribution facility will be comprised of 1,000 – 2,000 square feet of office space and will utilize 5-6 acres of the 12 acres purchased for the purpose of distributing steel. The firm will initially create approximately 5 new high wage jobs with a capital investment of $2-$2.5 million to start up the facility. Nucor Steel-Birmingham, Inc. is located in Birmingham, AL and is a part of Nucor (NYSE symbol NUE,) whose corporate headquarters are located in Charlotte, NC.

Kohl's

Kohl's has established Kohl's Florida Management - a division of Kohl's Department Stores Inc. - in Osceola County. Approximately 100 high-wage managerial jobs will be created and overseen by these headquarters. Kohl's is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Kohl's operates 834 stores in 46 states.

McLane Suneast

McLane Suneast is expanding its distribution center in the Poinciana Industrial Park – the fifth expansion since the division moved to Kissimmee in 1985. The additional 100,000 square feet brings the overall facility to 600,000 square feet. Housed in the addition will be an ambient temperature grocery area, as well as, freezer space. The project represents a $12 million capital investment, and creates 30 additional positions at an average salary of $32,000. McLane Suneast is the largest division of nationwide McLane Company, Inc., headquartered in Temple, TX. The Kissimmee facility serves more than 4,000 c-stores, mass merchandisers and drug stores throughout Florida each week.