Sodexo Headquarters to Remain in Gaithersburg

Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson today joined with Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz to announce that Sodexo Inc. has re-signed the lease on its Gaithersburg North American headquarters building, ensuring the company and its current 567 full-time jobs will remain at the site for the next decade.

In addition, the company – the leader in Quality of Life services and part of the Global Fortune 500 Sodexo Group – plans to add 50 new jobs over the next three years.

To assist the company with expenses associated with re-leasing the facility, the State has approved a $2 million conditional loan through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s Economic Development Assistance Fund. In addition, Montgomery County has approved a grant of up to $1.5 million based on the same terms and the city of Gaithersburg has approved up to $500,000 from its Economic Opportunities fund. The company will also be eligible for other State programs, including the Job Creation Tax Credit, Enterprise Zone credits and the county’s New Jobs Tax Credit.

“Sodexo has been an important corporate partner for well over a decade, employing a large percentage of Marylanders and giving back to the community through the efforts of the Sodexo Foundation,” said Johansson. “By working with our partners in Montgomery County and city of Gaithersburg and Sodexo’s leadership, we are preserving more than 500 jobs, creating 50 new jobs and ensuring that this company will continue to grow and invest in Maryland.”

“In just the past few weeks, our Department of Economic Development has partnered with its colleagues in the State of Maryland to retain over 800 high-paying, quality jobs in Montgomery County – the latest being the 567 full-time jobs that will remain at Sodexo’s Gaithersburg headquarters,” said Leggett. “Sodexo exemplifies economic development at its best – a company headquartered in the County for almost 15 years that has now committed to stay here for at least another decade and add jobs to our local economy. We are very proud that this industry-leading corporate citizen calls Montgomery County home.”

“We are delighted that we could be a part of the effort to reach an agreement with Sodexo that not only preserves the presence of this global leader in Gaithersburg, but fosters opportunities for their expansion,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz. “It is important for Gaithersburg to retain a focus on preserving and enhancing the experience for existing businesses, allowing them to continue to grow and thrive in our burgeoning community.”

“Having been in Gaithersburg since 1998, and with about 60 percent of our employees living in Montgomery County and nearly 80 percent living in Maryland, we are excited to be staying in a dynamic area that we will continue to grow with and contribute to in the future,” said George Chavel, president and CEO, Sodexo, Inc. “One of the most important factors in our decision is that Maryland is a national leader in environmental initiatives and sustainable development. Sodexo is firmly committed to minimizing our impacts on ecosystems and positively impacting communities. We are proud that One Washingtonian Center is LEED® Platinum certified – the highest standard of sustainability – with innovations contributing to water efficiency, lower energy consumption and having more than 50 percent of solid waste recycled.”

Sodexo, Inc. is the leading Quality of Life services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivering on-site services in corporate, education, health care, government, and remote site segments, as well as benefits and rewards services and personal and home services. The company funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. In calendar year 2011, the company had more than 2,800 employees in Maryland at more than 1,500 operating locations. It is part of the Sodexo Group, which serves 75 million consumers each day through its 420,000 employees and operations in 80 countries around the world.

Link to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Choose Maryland website.
Link to the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Montgomery County Department of Economic Development website.

With over 60,000 residents located in the heart of Montgomery County, Gaithersburg is one of the largest cities in Maryland. Dedicated to providing the best quality of life, the city offers businesses a stable, attractive community, leading Gaithersburg to become a major international location for high-technology and biotechnology companies. The Office of Economic and Business Development oversees economic development programs and services, assisting existing and potential businesses and industries, preparing marketing materials and strategies, and acting as a liaison between the city and the business community.

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