Cape out of running for Hertz call center
The decision by Hertz not to locate a call center in Cape Coral came as a disappointment to city officials Monday.
“It looks like it’s not going anywhere,” said city economic development director Dana Brunett. “We put a good package on the table for them and we were very hopeful they would come here, always hopeful.”
Brunett said if Hertz were to revive the call center location the city would be ready.
“I want opportunities, that’s all I can ask,” said Brunett. “Sure, there is some disappointment. We all wanted it. The building they were looking at was a good fit and it is only a 40-minute drive to Estero, which is not too bad. It was definitely doable.”
The equipment purchase and seven-year lease on the building would have been a $2.5 million investment for Hertz. The city offered a rebate to Hertz based on the number of jobs that would be created. It amounted to about $750 per job up to 250 jobs.
“We are competing against a lot of other communities to land businesses and we will try to get the next one to come here,” said Brunett. “I’ve been in this business for a long time and if I get one out of 20 businesses to come here I’m having a good year, so we will go after the next one.”
Hertz officials could not immediately be reached for comment.