Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) officials announced the company will establish a Technology Integration Gateway™ in Cookeville. The new facility is expected to create 300 new jobs over the next five years.
The Technology Integration Gateway will create a wide range of technology jobs, including roles in information technology (IT) services, computer programming, engineering and software development. The Gateway will also provide cloud, cyber security and data science expertise.
“We’re pleased that SAIC has decided to expand further in Tennessee by creating 300 well-paying jobs in software engineering, computer programming and other technology roles in Cookeville,” Haslam said. “Tennessee leads the nation in the growth of STEM-related advanced industry jobs and SAIC’s new commitment to Putnam County continues that strong momentum, bringing us closer to our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“SAIC employs more than 600 Tennesseans and this decision to put additional resources in Tennessee is a strong vote of confidence in the strength of our workforce,” Rolfe said. “SAIC’s commitment to forge strong ties with Tennessee Tech University and create high quality jobs matches perfectly with our statewide efforts to better align higher education with the needs of business partners. We look forward to the positive impact SAIC will have in Cookeville for years to come.”
Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC is a premier technology integrator in the technical, engineering, intelligence and IT sectors. SAIC employs more than 15,000 people worldwide.
“SAIC has a long legacy of doing business in Tennessee,” SAIC CEO Tony Moraco said. “When seeking a location for our first Technology Integration Gateway, Tennessee was a natural choice, especially given Governor Haslam’s strong commitment to workforce development, job creation and post-secondary attainment. The Cookeville Gateway will provide an excellent opportunity to build a lasting relationship with Tennessee Tech, support the development of a 21st century workforce and help local talent develop the in-demand skills necessary to address our customers’ most critical IT missions.”
Expected to open this summer, the Technology Integration Gateway will serve federal defense and civilian agencies, state and local governments, as well as commercial businesses. SAIC is exploring partnership opportunities with Tennessee Tech to identify and provide high-tech training to prospective IT employees.
Local officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority praised SAIC for its commitment to create 300 new jobs in Cookeville.
“The City of Cookeville is extremely excited about this announcement. The impact these new jobs will have on our downtown merchants and businesses is significant,” Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton said. “Jobs in the technology sector will be vital in helping raise per capita income in Cookeville. Higher wage jobs will create more income for our local businesses to capitalize on. The bottom line is that jobs in this sector translate to greater opportunities for our retailers, and this is very promising in regards to our city’s future. We look forward to more technology-based firms making Cookeville their home.”
“It’s always a thrill to announce new jobs for Putnam County and add to our outstanding portfolio of current business and industry partners,” Randy Porter, Putnam County Executive said. ”SAIC’s high-tech, high-paying jobs will provide a significant boost to our local economy and give Tennessee Tech computer engineering graduates another good reason to stay in the county. The IT field is an area we’ve long wanted to tap into and SAIC is the perfect fit to put Putnam County on the map for future growth opportunities. We enthusiastically welcome SAIC to our county.”
“Tennessee Tech, along with leaders in Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland, strives to create a friendly frontier for businesses. We are excited to play a key part in developing training and education partnerships for SAIC,” Tennessee Technological University President Phil Oldham said. “More and more, our faculty, students and staff allow the university to influence industrial recruitment and growth, job creation, and entrepreneur development based on our area’s specialties and strengths.”
"This announcement is a game-changer for our region. Our team has been working to grow employment in this sector for a long time, and we are optimistic that this company will be a catalyst for continued growth in the IT cluster,” George Halford, president and CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber, said. “This project would never have been possible without the support and teamwork from our TTU, Putnam County, City of Cookeville, TNECD, and TVA partners. We see this project as the tipping point for future technology-driven, higher paying jobs for our region.”
“TVA and Cookeville Electric congratulate SAIC on its decision to locate in Cookeville and create hundreds of new job opportunities,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to partner with Tennessee Tech University, city of Cookeville, Putnam County, Cookeville Chamber, Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help foster economic growth and prosperity in the Valley.”
Cookeville and Putnam County are represented by Sen. Paul Bailey (R – Sparta), Rep. Ryan Williams (R – Cookeville) and Rep. Cameron Sexton (R – Crossville) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: www.TNECD.com. Follow us on Twitter: @TNECD. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TNECD.