The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Office announced that Blue Dog Business Services, a locally headquartered firm that provides merchant services, is adding 15 new jobs to its existing local workforce of 27. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the company’s Local Jobs Grant application at their April 12 meeting. The company had initially considered relocating its headquarters to Palm Beach County.
Based on the company’s anticipated job creation numbers and proposed wages for the new hires, Blue Dog Business Services is eligible for up to $49,000 in Jobs Grant incentives. The company anticipates creating 15 new jobs by third quarter of this year, with average annual wages ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. The Jobs Grant is a performance-based program, meaning that it is paid out over a three-year period after the jobs are in place.
Blue Dog Business Services plans to keep and expand its headquarters operations in Vero Beach. The company provides services to businesses nationwide, including credit card processing, business loans, consumer financing, and promotional products.
County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan, who serves as economic development liaison to the Board, stated “I’m very excited and proud that Blue Dog Business Services has decided to not only keep their corporate headquarters here in Indian River County, but they are expanding their workforce. This workforce expansion in the Merchant Services and Payment Processing field will provide clean, well-paying jobs for our residents. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Blue Dog here in Indian River County.”
Ron Dichter, CEO of Blue Dog Business Services, shares in the Commission’s enthusiasm, adding “I am excited about the opportunity to grow Blue Dog in Indian River County. After 3 ½ years of operating in the area, I was concerned that expanding could be limited by staffing, but after working with the County and the Indian River Chamber, we feel that Indian River County is a great place to work and grow that offers a quality lifestyle to our employees and their families.”
The Chamber’s Economic Development Office worked with county staff and company executives to discuss plans and facilitate their Jobs Grant application. “We are excited to add yet another innovative corporate headquarters to our business community” notes Helene Caseltine, the Chamber’s Economic Development Director. ”This is a perfect fit for Indian River County as part of our overall strategy for economic diversification.”
For more information on locating or expanding a business in Indian River County, call Helene Caseltine at the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, 772-567-3491 or visit www.indianrivered.com.