JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that VolkswagenGroup of America has chosen JAXPORT as the location of its import facility andSoutheastern distribution center. The Jacksonville location will create 100 jobs and acapital investment of $3 million in the region.Governor Scott said, “We are excited Volkswagen has chosen Florida to create newjobs. Florida’s ports are one of the many reasons why companies are choosing ourstate as the best place to grow their business. That is why our ‘KEEP FLORIDAWORKING’ budget recommends more than $109 million in seaport infrastructureimprovements so Florida can keep working to provide the resources companies likeVolkswagen need to succeed in our great state.”Volkswagen Group of America will move their import facility for cars and SUVs and itsSoutheast U.S. distribution operations to Jacksonville. The renovated plant andproperties will be used to receive and process factory-new Volkswagen, Audi andBentley vehicles. Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley expect to transport 100,000 cars withinone year, and approximately 550,000 units in the next five years.“Floridians have demonstrated a strong support for the Volkswagen Group of Americabrands, and selecting the Port of Jacksonville as our Southeastern U.S. port is part ofour growth strategy,” said David Geanacopoulos, Executive Vice President for PublicAffairs and General Counsel, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “In utilizingJAXPORT, we will be able to bring Audi, Bentley and Volkswagen products closer to ourFlorida customers, and provide enhanced customer service in this key market. We areproud to be joining Governor Scott in making this exciting announcement.”JAXPORT is situated at the crossroads of the nation’s rail and highway network.Industry-leading quality control training for workers, fast and efficient turn times,exceptional ocean carrier options and 300,000 square feet of on-site auto processing make JAXPORT the port of choice for thousands of businesses worldwide. JAXPORT isthe nation’s no. 1 port for vehicle exports.“This announcement reflects what all of us at JAXPORT already know: our tenants,partners and employees are dedicated to offering creative shipping solutions andunmatched customer service, reinforcing our reputation for vehicle-handling excellenceeach and every day,” said JAXPORT Board Chairman John Falconetti. “Through theirunwavering commitment to long term investments in a state-of-the-art seaport andtransportation network, Governor Scott and our state leadership give us the tools weneed to grow jobs and opportunity.”“On behalf of all of the employees of AMPORTS, I thank Volkswagen for their trust andfor this opportunity,” said Steve Taylor, President, AMPORTS. “AMPORTS’ commitmentto quality, efficiency and safety paired with our strong working relationships andreputation throughout the supply chain help make us---and keep us---a leader in theindustry.”“Thanks to Governor Scott’s support and leadership, Florida is becoming a global hubfor trade, and creating the foundation to support jobs and economic prosperity forFloridians,” said Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jim Boxold.“The department is pleased to partner with JAXPORT in terminal and waterwayimprovements that positioned JAXPORT to secure the Volkswagen Group business.Businesses, like Volkswagen Group, bring significant new cargo to our state.”Florida has the second ranked transportation infrastructure in the U.S., making it anideal location for logistics and distribution for companies like Volkswagen. As theWestern Hemisphere's commercial gateway, Florida's logistics and distribution industryis poised to grow further with the Panama Canal expansion in 2016, and continuedinfrastructure development.Secretary of Commerce and president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Gray Swoope, said,“Florida offers easy access to global markets, which makes our state the ideal locationfor companies looking to import and export goods both nationally and internationally.Florida has a strong infrastructure and large workforce that helps companies succeed.We appreciate Volkswagen’s commitment to Florida and look forward to their growth inthe state.”Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “TheScott Administration has made historic investments in Florida’s ports because we knowthat strong infrastructure is key to making Florida a global leader in internationaltrade. With this exciting project at JAXPORT, Volkswagen Group of America haschosen the perfect place to expand operations and utilize a growing and talentedworkforce.”“Volkswagen’s decision to expand to Jacksonville shows real confidence in our city andour growing economy. It’s proof the city has more and more economic momentum,” saidMayor Alvin Brown. “As chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Ports and Exports, I know that global trade will play an increasing role in our nationaleconomy. By leveraging our reputation as a logistics center, we can attract moreinternational trade and bring even more opportunities for our residents and grow oureconomy.”“This is an exciting announcement for Jacksonville as we continue our push to growinternational business in our region,” said Mark Frisch, Chair of JAXUSA Partnership.“Volkswagen is a high-profile name in the automotive industry, and we are pleased tosee the continued growth of European companies in Northeast Florida, particularly inlogistics – an industry we’ve strategically targeted for growth. Volkswagen’s partnershipwith AMPORTS, a global leader in the automotive services industry, makes thisdevelopment another important step in the right direction for Jacksonville.”***About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA) is a wholly owned subsidiary ofVolkswagen AG, one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largestcarmaker in Europe. VWGoA operates a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga,Tennessee and houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished andexciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as wellas VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va.;VWGoA brings vehicles to the U.S. that marry the science of engineering and the art ofstyling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and eco-conscious automobiles that arecompetitive and set world standards in their respective classes. The company hasapproximately 6,000 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through anetwork of approximately 1,000 dealers.