Lt. Governor Becky Skillman joined executives from Envisage Technologies Corporation, a developer of training management software for law enforcement, public safety and military organizations, today to announce the company's plans to expand its operations here, creating 23 new jobs by 2011.
The company will invest $967,000 to relocate its current southeast Bloomington software development and customer support operations to the city's historic downtown district.
"Continued investment from high-growth companies like Envisage is welcome news amidst the global economic slowdown," said Skillman. "We must continue to look for opportunities to make expansion possible for great companies like this that create high-paying opportunities for Hoosier workers."
Envisage, whose customers include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Army and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, plans to begin hiring additional senior level software developers, project managers and sales executives later this summer before moving into the renovated facility in the fall.
"We have experienced strong growth in the last few years because our software solves many of the critical challenges facing high-risk training environments," said Ari Vidali, chairman and chief executive officer of Envisage. "We selected Bloomington, Ind. for our expansion due to its unique blend of high-quality amenities and the outstanding state and local support provided to entrepreneurial technology companies."
Envisage's Acadis Readiness Suite is an enterprise software application that automates the management of complex, high-risk training environments such as law enforcement, public safety and the military. The modular system architecture allows organizations to customize the software by implementing modules as needed, including scheduling, registration, housing, compliance, testing and document management. The optional Acadis Portal Framework allows decentralization of in-service training reporting, class registration and instructor availability.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Envisage Technologies Corporation up to $470,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $21,500 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. Up to $7,500 for infrastructure improvements will be offered through the state's Industrial Development Grant Fund. The city of Bloomington will provide additional property tax abatement at the request of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation.
"It is always exciting when the city can come together with a local company to help it prosper right here at home," said Mayor Mark Kruzan. "Envisage has invested in our community, and the city has in turn found a way to facilitate their expansion right in the heart of downtown."
More than 71,000 high-tech workers with a total payroll of more than $4 billion were employed in Indiana in 2007, the latest year for available data, according to the March 2009 Cyberstates report released by technology trade association, TechAmerica.
About Envisage Technologies Corporation
Envisage is a recognized leader in public safety, law enforcement and military training modernization and automation. For over a decade, we have assisted numerous premier Federal and State training organizations within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Military, and Public Safety training organizations with modernization, implementation of best practices and enterprise software. Our solutions help these organizations achieve operational readiness by automating complex training logistics, storing complete and accurate training records, and maximizing the use of limited resources. For more information, visit www.envisagenow.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. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.