The Kansas Department of Commerce, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Manhattan announced today that software company CivicPlus will expand its operations and build a new facility in the downtown area. Ten-year plans call for more than 250 new, full-time positions with average wages of more than $45,000. CivicPlus also will offer internship opportunities.
The company was founded in Manhattan in 2001, and CEO Ward Morgan was pleased to be expanding in the community, with a new mixed use, multi-story building at the southwest corner of Fourth and Pierre streets at an estimated cost approaching $9 million.
“Our company is poised to grow by as much as 40 percent in the next year,” Morgan said. “We considered multiple locations around the U.S. to accommodate our growth needs. But thanks to support from the local community and the state of Kansas, we are looking forward to keeping our new jobs and capital investment here in Manhattan.”
“We are thrilled that CivicPlus has chosen to stay in Kansas as it pursues its expansion plans,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. “Their continued success will help strengthen and diversify the state economy.”
CivicPlus develops, designs and manages award-winning community engagement systems that use advanced technology to connect people with government in new, more efficient ways. The company presently has 83 employees in Manhattan and provides website solutions for more than 1,000 cities and counties throughout the United States, with international clients in Canada and Australia. Since 2008, the company has won more than 250 website awards for its clients.
“CivicPlus’s growth in Manhattan represents another win in our community's strategy to attract and retain high-pay, knowledge-based jobs,” said Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Lyle Butler. “They will help increase Manhattan’s presence in computer science and software development.”
“The city is pleased to formulate a proposal that keeps CivicPlus a Manhattan-based business,” said Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr. “Our recent investments in redevelopment have kept downtown Manhattan a vibrant place for businesses to thrive and grow.”
On May 1, the Manhattan City Commission will consider an economic development incentive application to assist CivicPlus with its expansion.