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Ameritas Technologies Plans Technology Center In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Creating 306 Jobs

07/25/2012
Ameritas Technologies plans to open an information technology center at Chase Tower South in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, creating an estimated 300 new jobs.

According to Ameritas, its strategy includes creating local software development centers in U.S. metro areas and it chose Baton Rouge for its first venture. The firm reported it offers an alternative to sending IT work offshore by providing greater convenience, local quality control and contextual familiarity to better meet business needs. Its business plan is to partner with state government and local colleges and technical schools to recruit, employ and train a new generation of skilled IT workers to support innovation and technology leadership in Louisiana. The 300 new direct jobs, with an average salary of $63,000, plus benefits, will result in an additional 306 new indirect jobs.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said, "Ameritas joins a growing list of companies expanding in Louisiana because of our strong business climate and world class workforce. Ameritas' decision to build a new IT center in Baton Rouge is further proof that our state is becoming a beacon for the digital media and technology industries. We are continuing to create more opportunities for our sons and daughters in Louisiana so they don't have to leave home to pursue their dreams."

"We are excited to partner with the State of Louisiana, Governor Jindal and the City of Baton Rouge to endorse practical solutions to put residents to work," Ameritas Technologies CEO Brian Keane said. "Baton Rouge is a vibrant community with fantastic educational institutions and an engaged and active government, all of which make it an ideal location for our software development facility."

As an incentive, Louisiana Economic Development offered Ameritas a performance-based grant of $125,000 per year for 10-years to offset leasing costs. Ameritas will also receive assistance from LED FastStart, a state-based workforce development program. The company is also expected to utilize Louisiana's Quality Jobs and Digital Interactive Media and Software Development incentives.

"Ameritas is exactly the kind of company we welcome to Baton Rouge," said Mayor Melvin "Kip" Holden, "because the high-tech services it provides means local jobs in an industry sector we have targeted for growth.

"It is an enormous testament to the Baton Rouge area that Ameritas has chosen to locate their firm here," said President and CEO Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. "Their move will further the momentum of the digital media and software development sector in the Capital Region.

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