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Could Naeem Khan be moving his factory operations to Miami? According the the Herald, the high end designer has already met with Miami-Dade officials to take over a former county carpentry factory right on the Miami River for a discounted price.
The article states that he "plans to spend $6 million building a 30,000-square-foot facility" and employ about 50 people. They're gifting the one-acre space to him for less than market value, and plan to give him below-market price if he wants to buy it in the future. The clause? The red carpet outfitter would have to hire at least 70 full-time workers and pay them $50 grand a year. Khan's team did not respond to the Miami Herald's questioning.
Up until now, Miami has been thought of as a fashionable city, but never as one that's been a force within the industry itself. Miami-Dade is pushing hard to change that and transform the 305 into Latin America's version of New York's garment district, with Naeem Khan's move as the impetus. It's a big, bold move, but one that may not be unwelcome by the city's fashion community.
· Naeem Khan plans Miami facility [Miami Herald]