TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Boca Raton-based RailAmerica Inc. said Tuesday it will keep its corporate headquarters in the state, consolidating its management and administration functions to create 67 new jobs, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
As an incentive to keep RailAmerica, Gov. Jeb Bush’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development approved the use of the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program for RailAmerica. It gives tax breaks to companies for every job they create.
RailAmerica, the world’s largest short line and regional railroad operator, said the new jobs will have an average salary of $45,000.
RailAmerica had considered moving to Texas, California or Michigan.
RailAmerica currently owns 49 short line and regional railroads. In North America, its railroads operate in 27 states and six Canadian provinces. Overseas, it operates in Australia, Argentina and Chile.
Only one of RailAmerica’s railroads operate in Florida, with parts of northwest Florida being served by Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway out of Monroeville, Ala.