“This state is on a roll.”
Those words came from Florida’s 45th Governor Rick Scott who his first official appearance in Santa Rosa County Wednesday morning at one of the area’s fastest growing companies.
Scott joined a handful of other politicians and local officials at AppRiver in Gulf Breeze Proper to promote the area’s growth and the continued job growth he said people are experiencing both in Santa Rosa County and all across the state.
Joining him along with area representatives were several AppRiver employees, better known as “Appers”. The company has hired 100 people over the past 5 years alone, which Scott commended during his appearance.
Florida Governor Rick Scott shakes hands with an AppRiver employee after the commencement of his visit in Gulf Breeze Proper on Wednesday. The appearance at AppRiver marked the governor’s first official appearance in Santa Rosa County. (Photo by India Agar | South Santa Rosa News)
“It’s so great to watch businesses grow. You see a company like AppRiver and you see with great talent you can build a business anywhere in the world. But really, the best place in the world is Florida,” Scott said.
Scott recognized the local digital security business, which serves over 47,000 businesses worldwide, and has continued to grow on that success over the last 12 months it’s been in the area.
“There have been 1,700 jobs created in Santa Rosa County alone in the last 12 months. We are leading the nation in job growth,” Scott said.
This was Scott’s first official visit to Santa Rosa County as governor. He has served as Florida’s Governor since 2011. During one of his campaigns, he made a pit stop in East Milton to speak to locals about his visions for office, but never officially made an appearance as governor in Santa Rosa County. Until Wednesday.
Scott was sworn in last year for his second term in office.
During his stop at the AppRiver office, he congratulated one of the company’s employees, Scottie Cole, who has worked for the growing business for the past 12 years. Cole started off at AppRiver as a support technician and currently serves as the company’s security administrator.
“Every job is important,” Scott said as he shook Cole’s hand. “The most important thing you can do for anybody is get them a job and give them that opportunity to live the dream of this country.”
Governor Scott also commended Rep. Doug Broxson (R-Midway) for his continued efforts in helping make the area a military-friendly place to live.
“There’s nothing better for a community, theres no greater medicine than a job. It gives families well being,” Broxson said.
