ORLANDO, Fla., May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG LLP today broke ground for construction of its $400 million learning, development, and innovation facility in the Lake Nona community of Orlando and forecasted hiring some 330 people statewide over the next three years.

The firm announced on January 9 its commitment to create a 55-acre, state-of-the-art campus with 800,000 square feet of space for meeting, classroom, residential, and dining facilities. The campus will feature cutting-edge technology, including an innovation center that will support training and client engagement, and a heritage center to highlight the firm's rich history and culture. KPMG expects to complete the project by year-end 2019.

"This campus is our firm's largest capital investment ever. More than that, it's an investment in our people," said Lynne Doughtie, Chairman and CEO, KPMG LLP. "Today marks a major milestone toward creating a world-class environment that inspires our professionals to achieve their fullest potential and helps enable our firm to attract and retain the best talent." 

In addition to 80 new KPMG jobs associated with operating the completed learning, development, and innovation facility, the firm expects to add some 330 jobs in Florida over the next three years as its business serving audit, tax, and advisory clients continues to expand. KPMG currently employs nearly 700 people in offices in Orlando (in the Regions Bank Tower on North Orange Avenue), Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.

"I am proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of KPMG's new facility and the creation of 330 new jobs. KPMG is a global company with an incredible presence in our state and today's announcement shows how important it is to do all we can to fight for these major jobs wins. We are competing at a global scale, and we will keep working with our economic development partners from across the state to help create new opportunities for our families. I look forward to seeing this new facility and welcoming KPMG employees from across the nation to our great state," said Florida Governor Rick Scott.

"Creating the 'best culture with the best people' is central to our strategic vision and our growth strategy," Doughtie added. "Nowhere else is that dual focus more evident than in our growing presence in Florida where state and local officials, as well as Tavistock's Lake Nona community, have created a highly collaborative, forward-thinking environment."

Lake Nona is an innovative master-designed community by Tavistock Development Company in Orlando. One of the country's fastest growing communities with more than 12,000 residents and more than 10 million square feet of residential and commercial facilities, Lake Nona is one of the state's largest economic engines with business clusters committed to advancing developments in the areas of sport and human performance, health and well being, education, and technology.

"KPMG's world-class training facility exemplifies Lake Nona's original mission statement – To create the ideal place that inspires human potential through innovative collaboration," said Tavistock Senior Managing Director Rasesh Thakkar. "Today's groundbreaking marks another significant milestone in Lake Nona's history, and on behalf of Tavistock and all our anchor partners, we welcome KPMG and look forward to working with them."

"Orlando for years has been KPMG's destination of choice for many of their professional development programs and meetings. By working across our government and business development teams, we're helping KPMG establish a campus that will generate some 150,000 KPMG visits to our area in just the first few years," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

"Orange County is thrilled to break ground and welcome KPMG's national training facility to our community," said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. "KPMG professionals from across the nation will travel here for extended training, providing us with an excellent opportunity to showcase everything that our world-class community has to offer. Their presence in Central Florida signals the strength of our professional service sector, as well as the preparedness of our workforce."

Flemming named construction manager
KPMG also announced that Bill Flemming has joined the firm as managing director of construction management with oversight for its new Lake Nona campus.

Flemming most recently served as president and CEO of New York-based Skanska USA Building Inc., a $5 billion unit of Skanska AB, one of the world's largest construction and development companies.

Flemming disclosed an estimated project timeframe:

• Summer 2017: Site grading
• Fall 2017: Foundation work
• Early 2018: Start of superstructure construction
• Second half, 2018: Topping off
• Late 2018: Building fully enclosed

About KPMG LLP
KPMG is one of the world's leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world's largest and most prestigious organizations.

KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, diversity and inclusion, and eradicating childhood illiteracy.

KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative. KPMG International's member firms have 189,000 professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 152 countries.

SOURCE KPMG LLP

Related Links

http://www.kpmg.com/us