One of the world\u2019s largest tobacco manufacturers is opening a business solutions center in Tampa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Philip Morris International, known for developing products such as Zyn nicotine patches, will be investing roughly $50 million in the region. The company announced the venture Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Located at the Highwoods Bay Center office building (at 5426 Bay Center Drive), the facility will help create approximately 180 new jobs. These include roles in finance, data engineering and analytics, information technology, project management and talent acquisition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Darin Early, PMI vice president of U.S. strategy, execution and business development, the corporation reviewed 385 markets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTampa continues to gain momentum and offers a pro business climate, strong infrastructure and a deep pool of skilled talent,\u201d he explained. \u201cThis is exactly the kind of environment that aligns with our mission and the modernization of our U.S. operations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The new center will be a singular location to focus on business solutions, distribution operations and customer service, Early added. Organization leaders have signed a 10-year lease for the over 56,000-square-foot space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said that the office is expected to open in late 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
PMI U.S. executives also plan to contribute to area nonprofits. Previously, the company has supported local and statewide organizations such as the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation, Tampa Bay Thrives and Operation BBQ Relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission is to hire with purpose and give where we live \u2013 creating serious career pathways, supporting local entrepreneurship and contributing to Tampa\u2019s future,\u201d Early explained. \u201cWe\u2019re here to build something meaningful, lasting and locally rooted together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
PMI U.S. has invested \u201cmore than $1 billion in American manufacturing, operational capabilities and people costs\u201d since 2022, according to a prepared statement. Currently, the corporation employs more than 3,000 people. In 2024, the company announced a $600 million commitment to build a Zyn manufacturing facility in Aurora, Colorado.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recently, PMI has been focusing on a smoke-free future with products such as nicotine patches and vapes (also known as electronic cigarettes). According to Fortune magazine, the organization plans to \u201cgenerate more than two-thirds of its net revenue\u201d from these alternatives by 2030<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cA project like this, with 180 high wage jobs, can be expected to generate approximately $18 million in direct payroll and more than 280 new indirect and induced jobs locally,\u201d Tampa Bay Economic Development Council president and CEO Craig Richard said in a statement prepared for the Catalyst. \u201cThis translates to about $63 million in total annual economic output across the region.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He added that having a Fortune 500 company presence \u201cenhances our market\u2019s credibility as a multinational corporate location and attracts interests from similar companies.\u201d Additionally, it can help \u201cenhance our local talent pool and strengthen our tech and business services workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n