Official seal of City of Fort Wayne (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, an insurance provider for churches and related ministries, announced plans today to expand its headquarters here, creating up to 102 new jobs by 2016.
The homegrown-Hoosier company will invest $15 million to construct and equip a 54,395 square foot facility on its 30-acre campus located at 6400 Brotherhood Way. The facility, which will be connected to the company’s existing headquarters by a skywalk, will provide additional office and training space for agents and staff. It is expected to be operational by early 2014.
“Just as it’s important to attract new business, it’s also important to make sure Indiana maintains an environment that allows existing businesses to prosper,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “Brotherhood Mutual was founded here and we’re glad they’re continuing their commitment to northeast Indiana and trend of creating new career opportunities for Hoosiers.”
Founded in Grabill, Ind. in 1917, Brotherhood Mutual is a provider of property, liability, workers compensation, commercial auto and foreign travel insurance for churches and related ministries. The company, which serves more than 40,000 churches and ministries in 43 states and the District of Columbia, has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for five straight years.
“This expansion is due in part to endeavors like MinistryWorks, a new ministry payroll service the company launched in 2012,” said Mark Robison, president and chief executive officer of Brotherhood Mutual. “Fort Wayne’s stable economic environment provides an excellent foundation to support Brotherhood Mutual’s growth. This company has its roots in this community, and as we approach our 100th anniversary, we’re looking forward to many more years of serving church customers across the country. This expansion is the next step in making that goal a reality.”
In 2009, Brotherhood Mutual invested more than $5.2 million to establish a 26,000 square-foot customer service center at its Fort Wayne headquarters, adding 60 new jobs. The company, which currently employs 266 Hoosiers in Fort Wayne and 315 nationwide, has already begun hiring additional finance, underwriting, marketing and information technology associates as part of its most recent expansion.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company up to $875,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Fort Wayne approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen Count Economic Development Alliance.
“Brotherhood Mutual has proven its sustainability even in tough economic times and continues to provide job opportunities to citizens of Fort Wayne,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “It’s great to see a locally grown company like Brotherhood Mutual continue to thrive and prosper. Fort Wayne is built for success and the expansion of this accomplished company is further testament to the strength of our city.”
Brotherhood Mutual joins more than 60 other companies that committed to locating or growing their headquarters in the Hoosier State this year. Angie’s List, Jayco, Sweetwater Sound and Roche Diagnostics are just a few of the companies that have announced plans to expand their headquarters in Indiana in 2012, accounting for more than $1 billion in capital investment and more than 7,800 projected new jobs.
About Brotherhood Mutual
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company offers comprehensive property, liability, workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance for churches and related ministries throughout the United States. Other programs include foreign liability and travel assistance for short- and long-term mission trips and ministry payroll services. The company’s home office in Fort Wayne, Indiana, employs more than 300 people, with independent agents in 43 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.brotherhoodmutual.com.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.