The Beacon Council Conducts Economic Development Mission to Spain

(Miami, FL – Feb. 22, 2016) – The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization, is conducting a mission to Barcelona and Madrid, Spain from February 19 to 27 led by Chair Ernie Diaz, Regional President for TD Bank in Florida, and The Beacon Council President & CEO Larry K. Williams.

“Spain provides opportunities for new job-generating investments in all our target industries,” Diaz said. “We plan on providing Spanish companies with information that will help them succeed in the U.S. and Latin America markets”

 The trip includes participation in the Mobile World Congress, one of the world’s largest gatherings for the mobile industry held in Barcelona where meeting with tech prospects will be conducted. The mission also includes meetings with key contacts, prospects and officials and a business development multi-sector seminar for Spanish companies at the Madrid Chamber of Commerce. 

“Spain has been our top international foreign direct investment market for more than a decade,” The Beacon Council President & CEO Larry K. Williams said. “There are nearly 400 Spanish companies located in Miami-Dade including IBERIA Airlines, BBVA Compass Bank and Eulen Americas.”

This mission marks the 15th business development trip to Spain since 1998. Spanish business presence in Miami-Dade has grown steadily in recent years. Since 1996, The Beacon Council has assisted 96 Spanish companies in locating to Miami-Dade County, creating 2, 740 direct jobs and $214 million in initial capital investment.

The Beacon Council is currently working with 11 companies interested in relocating or expanding that may translate into 350 jobs, $7 million in initial capital investment and 114,000 in square feet of commercial space. 

Other Spanish companies located in Miami-Dade include: MAPFRE, Telefonica USA, Ferrovial and OHL USA. As of Nov. 2015, the total trade between Spain and the Miami Customs District was $861 million.

About The Beacon Council

The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership, is a public-private organization celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since 1985, the nonprofit has assisted more than 980 businesses that have created more than 65,000 direct jobs and added more than $4 billion in new capital investments. The organization accomplishes this by marketing Miami-Dade as a world-class business location, growing local companies and shaping the local economy’s future. For more information, visit www.beaconcouncil.com

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