Media Contact:    Olivia Rill, Priority Marketing
                            (941) 267-2638
                            Beverly Fox, Economic Development Office
                            (941) 338-3161

Fort Myers, Fla. (January 12, 2001) – Diligently nurturing the business growth of Lee County, the Economic Development Office (EDO) has assisted in the placement of yet another corporate headquarters in Fort Myers. Master Protection Corporation, a leading provider of comprehensive fire safety and compliance solutions, has decided to relocate its headquarters from Santa Monica, California to Fort Myers after four years of communication with the EDO.

"Master Protection considered several locations before choosing Lee County," says Janet Watermeier, Director of the EDO. "Like many companies they saw the advantages of doing business here. The combination of lifestyle, affordability and workforce were so appealing, they determined Fort Myers was the best choice."

The move, which is expected to be complete in mid-February, will nearly double the company’s employment base in Lee County, providing more than 100 jobs the first year.

Master Protection has already begun the expansion of its offices at University Park, where its Premier Accounts Division has been located for several years. The building is located adjacent to Edison Community College on the corner of Summerlin and College. The company, represented by Leonard Lucas of Tropical Hut Realty, negotiated a 12-year lease with the Welsh Companies, who represented the building owner Uccello Immogilien GrmbH. A major renovation of the entire 30,000 square foot space is underway by Design Build 2000, Inc. of Fort Myers. The company’s headquarters will occupy the entire fourth floor. In addition the company’s 24 hour a day customer care center has just moved into its new facilities formerly occupied by the University Club on the second floor.

"We saw Fort Myers as the place that best meets our business needs," says Tom Kennedy, Senior Vice President of Master Protection. "The area also has a lot to offer our employees, which was an important factor in our decision. The EDO contributed a great deal by articulating the dual advantages of Lee County’s growing business environment and fantastic lifestyle."

Operating under the trade name FireMaster, the company provides service to over 300,000 commercial, industrial and retail customers in all 50 states and around the world.

Master Protection Corporation current employs more than 750 people and has more than 40 locations throughout the United States. It is expected that this corporate move will add between 50 to 75 new jobs in Fort Myers through 2001 with a yearly economic impact of $9.5 million.

Job openings for Master Protection have been posted in the classified sections of the Sunday newspapers. If you are interested in a position with the company, please fax a resume to Resource Innovations at (941) 939-3874.