Missouri’s economy continues to grow with international law firm Sedgwick LLP announcing plans to open a new administration center in downtown Kansas City and create 100 jobs over the next five years, Gov. Jay Nixon said.
“Businesses continue to locate to Missouri because of our talented workforce and stable business climate,” Gov. Nixon said. “We welcome Sedgwick to the Show-Me State and look forward to continuing to attract global companies to Missouri by investing in education and holding the line on taxes.”
The company plans to invest more than $4.6 million to open its Kansas City office, where it will consolidate its global administrative operations. Founded in 1933 as a three-person firm in San Francisco, Sedgwick now has more than 370 attorneys in offices around the world. Sedgwick’s collective experience spans the globe and virtually every industry.
“We are very excited to consolidate our global administrative operations and open a Shared Service Center in Kansas City, Missouri,” said Michael Tanenbaum, Chair of Sedgwick LLP. “Being located in the heart of the country, Kansas City offers us a unique opportunity to tap into a diverse and talented workforce in a vibrant and pro-business environment, thus allowing Sedgwick to better meet the evolving needs of our clients and our thirteen domestic and two international offices. For Sedgwick, Kansas City is an excellent fit.”
Expanding in Kansas City will allow Sedgwick LLP to improve efficiency by locating the global firm-wide services and operations under one roof including its Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Knowledge Management, Marketing and New Business functions. The law firm’s Shared Services Center is expected to begin operations in June 2014.
Today’s announcement is just the latest in a series of positive developments that demonstrate the continued strength of Kansas City’s economy. Last month alone, Cerner Corp. confirmed plans to create up to 15,000 new jobs as part of a $4.3 billion redevelopment of the former Bannister Mall site; Kansas City International Airport welcomed Aviation Technical Services and 500 new jobs to its overhaul base; and Ford Motor Company hired the 1000th worker to build the Ford Transit Van in Claycomo.
As a result of strong and continued economic growth in communities all across the state, Missouri’s unemployment rate recently dropped to 5.9 percent, its lowest point since June 2008.
To assist Sedgwick LLP with its expansion, the Department of Economic Development has offered a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation and investment criteria.