The global services firm Sodexo has decided to maintain its U.S. headquarters in Gaithersburg after months of considering other locations in the region for its 567 employees.
Sodexo operates in 80 countries and has more than 413,000 employees worldwide, with global headquarters outside of Paris. The company offers all manner of on-site services to corporate, government, defense and academic clients. Its U.S. subsidiary, Sodexo Inc., focuses on facilities and food services at about 6,000 sites.
To keep the company, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) agreed to provide a $2 million conditional loan through the state’s Economic Development Assistance Fund. Montgomery County will kick in a grant of $1.5 million and the City of Gaithersburg has agreed to provide $500,000 from its Economic Opportunities fund.
In return, Sodexo has committed to remain in Gaithersburg at One Washingtonian Center for 10 years and is expected to add 50 jobs over the next three years.
George Chavel, president and chief executive of Sodexo, Inc., said in a statement that about 60 percent of the company’s headquarters employees live in Montgomery County and 80 percent live in Maryland. “We are excited to be staying in a dynamic area that we will continue to grow with and contribute to in the future,” he said.
“By working with our partners in Montgomery County and City of Gaithersburg and Sodexo’s leadership, we are preserving more than 500 jobs, creating 50 new jobs and ensuring that this company will continue to grow and invest in Maryland,” said Christian S. Johansson, Maryland secretary of business and economic development, in a statement.
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