Pratt & Whitney to add 230 jobs in Palm Beach County

Pratt & Whitney is expected to officially announce Thursday that it will add 230 jobs at its manufacturing plant in northwestern Palm Beach County.

Kelly Smallridge, president of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, which sought economic incentives to retain Pratt's 1,000 jobs in the county and create more, said Tuesday the decision is welcome news.

She said Pratt will be adding a new production line of its commercial jet engines in Palm Beach County, which softens the blow from potential military spending cuts. Pratt also plans to invest in a new building at the site, she said, adding to the county's tax revenues.

Pratt sent out a press release on Tuesday afternoon saying United Technologies Corp. chairman Louis Chenevert will visit Pratt in West Palm Beach on Thursday to make the announcement.

In October, the Palm Beach County Commission approved a $4.79 million incentive package, with $1 million in tax abatements and $400,000 cash.  The state has said it would give Pratt $390,000 in job-creation incentives as well as $3 million from the governor's fund.

The incentives are contingent on Pratt creating 230 jobs over a decade and retaining 531 in the county. The average salary is $81,110.

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