Contact:
Emily Sperling, Community Relations Director
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County
(941) 309-1200 ext. 106 Cell: (941) 387-4710
esperling@edcsarasotacounty.com

Brad Barnett, President
Success Group International
(877) 862-8181
bbarnett@yoursgi.com

Clockwork Home Services relocates Success Group International headquarters to Sarasota

SARASOTA (December 21, 2009) -- Clockwork Home Services, one of North America’s fastest growing operators of home services franchises and affinity group memberships, is bringing its rapidly expanding Success Group International (SGI) division to Sarasota County. SGI, which acts as a ”college for contractors” to help independent contractor-owners in the home services industry to become more successful, will relocate its headquarters from St. Louis to Sarasota within six months.

SGI expects to fill 30 positions in Sarasota over the next two years, according to Kathy Baylis, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, which assisted the company with state and local performance-based incentives aimed at bringing good jobs to Sarasota County.

“Success Group International brings knowledge-driven jobs that pay 150 percent of the average wage in our community,” Baylis said. “SGI has a long track record in its industry and has shared with us some exciting plans for future growth. In addition to bringing new jobs to Sarasota, SGI will host training programs for its members here, which will benefit the local hospitality industry.” According to Brad Barnett, SGI president, the company relocated to Sarasota County to be closer to its parent company, Clockwork Home Services, which is located in downtown Sarasota. A portion of SGI’s operation will co-locate with the Clockwork headquarters at Five Points. SGI plans to lease additional space near I-75, as well.

“We believe that being in proximity to our parent company will allow us to leverage the entire organization to more quickly develop enhancements to our system and support our members,” Barnett said. “We also see Sarasota as an area where we can gain access to a highly skilled workforce. The professional workforce available in the Sarasota area is a key to achieving our growth objectives.” Barnett said the move would be completed in the first half of 2010. Subsequently, the company plans to expand into serving new industries that complement SGI’s current portfolio, which includes plumbing, HVAC, electrical and roofing.

The EDC assisted SGI in applying for state and local incentives that provide tax refunds to qualified businesses that add jobs at higher wages than the county average. Companies only receive the tax rebates if they follow through on their commitments, Baylis said.

“Sarasota County Government takes a judicious approach in applying incentives to encourage companies to add good jobs in our community,” said Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. “Success Group International is one that qualifies, and we are glad to welcome SGI to Sarasota County.”

“The EDC was instrumental in helping with our relocation,” Barnett said. “The EDC put us in contact with local commercial real estate brokers to lease the new space we need and was invaluable in helping us navigate the paperwork required for the tax incentive credits.

“The EDC's relationship with Sarasota County was pivotal in helping us to approach the county for our project,” he said. “I would recommend that anyone looking to relocate their business to Sarasota County or expand their business here start by contacting the EDC of Sarasota County.” Success Group International plans a series of job fairs in the area beginning late December and running through first quarter of 2010. Job fair information is available online at www.clockworkhomeservices.com.

The EDC of Sarasota County is the private, not-for-profit corporation leading the community’s economic development strategy to add high-wage jobs and diversify the local economy. The EDC provides business assistance to companies in Sarasota County and helps forge solutions to community challenges that affect quality of life. The EDC works in partnership with chambers of commerce, local governments and other organizations throughout the county and the region. For more information, visit www.edcsarasotacounty.com.