CCA Announces Up To 600 New Jobs With a New $205 Million Investment In Correctional Center In Ariz.
Nashville, Tenn., October 8, 2007 – Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the nation’s largest provider of corrections management services to government agencies and the leading employer in Pinal County, announced today that it expects to begin construction of a 3,060 bed correctional facility located in Eloy, Arizona that will bring an estimated 585 new jobs to central Arizona.
CCA will construct the $205 million La Palma Correctional Center on land adjacent to two of CCA’s five owned-and-operated correctional centers in Pinal County. Combined with these new jobs, CCA will employ more than 2,300 Arizona professionals, with payroll exceeding $100 million annually.
Along with the job creation is the additional economic stimulation that comes with CCA’s payment of annual property taxes, transaction privilege taxes, and utility payments. Plus, there are the additional construction-related jobs for an average of 400, and a peak of 600, workers in the region during the duration of the construction.
“For the past 14 years, Pinal County and central Arizona has experienced a steady increase in economic growth due to CCA’s increased operations, and we are very proud to announce this further commitment to Arizona,” said John Ferguson, CCA President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Annual property taxes and utility payments for this new capacity and all of our existing facilities alone account for an estimated $15.5 million. Combined with CCA paying $8 million in a transaction privilege tax for the construction of the La Palma Correctional Center, the city of Eloy, Pinal County and the state of Arizona will experience very meaningful economic vitality,” said Ferguson.
Mayor of Eloy Byron Jackson met with CCA officials regarding the announcement of the new construction project and paid tribute to CCA’s presence in central Arizona. “Without a doubt, the taxpaying citizens in our growing area of Arizona owe a great deal to Corrections Corporation of America. As the largest taxpayer, CCA has brought jobs, jobs and more jobs. And, as importantly, the company’s tax payments have made possible the further development of our city’s infrastructure, funding for schools and other key community projects. CCA is a valuable contributor.”
According to the warden of CCA’s most-recently opened facility, the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, CCA continues to offer meaningful careers with rapid advancement opportunities and competitive salaries and benefits. “We have had tremendous success in hiring skilled professionals who are seeking not just a job, but a meaningful career. And with CCA being ranked as FORBES Magazine’s ‘Best Managed company in the United States in the area of business services’, the opportunities with this new correctional center are significant,” said Warden Daren Swenson.
Warden Swenson also noted CCA’s commitment to community relations. “All of our correctional centers provide time and financial resources to many Pinal County programs, and we are proud to be increasing our presence and ability to give back to the community.”
CCA currently operates two facilities in Florence – the Central Arizona Detention Center and the Florence Correctional Center. The three correctional centers in Eloy are Red Rock Correctional Center, Saguaro Correctional Center and Eloy Detention Center.
CCA management expects to begin interviewing in early spring 2008 for the corrections professionals who will be employed at the correctional center.
About CCA
CCA is the nation’s largest owner and operator of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, behind only the federal government and three states. CCA currently operates 65 facilities, including 41 company-owned facilities, with a total design capacity of approximately 75,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia. CCA specializes in owning, operating and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, our facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to reduce recidivism and to prepare inmates for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA also provides health care (including medical, dental and psychiatric services), food services and work and recreational programs.