Posted on 09/16/2017 6:29:51 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - One year after opening an information technology center in southeast Grand Rapids, Auto-Owners Insurance announced a $1 million expansion of that office that will add 60 new technology jobs.
The Lansing-based insurance company moved into offices at 3949 Sparks Drive SE in August, 2016 and has hired 20 technology professionals.
Since then, the Grand Rapids technology center has experienced rapid growth and company officials believe that trend will continue over the next three years, according to an announcement by The Right Place Inc. on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
The company intends to invest significant resources in recruiting, training and retaining professionals to staff the new tech center, the announcement said.
"Auto-Owners Insurance has grown tremendously in the past year and we expect that upward trend to continue for several years, so it's imperative that our Grand Rapids technology center grow with the demand," said Jim Schumacher, Senior Vice President, Information Technology, Auto-Owners Insurance.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $315,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
"Auto-Owners operates in 25 other states, but proximity to the company's Lansing headquarters as well as strong local technology talent convinced them that expanding its current technology center would be most effective," said Jennifer Wangler, senior business development manager, The Right Place.
"We've outgrown the space already," said Schumacher. "We knew there would be a time to explore growing our tech center operations, so we're appreciative of The Right Place assisting us in pursuing the most effective option."
"Our partnership with The Right Place is a key component of our ability to expand our footprint at our Grand Rapids location and draw on the area's tech talent," Schumacher said.
Founded in 1916, Auto-Owners Insurance offers multiple lines of insurance, including life insurance and excess and surplus lines through its subsidiary, Atlantic Casualty Insurance Co. Nearly 6,300 independent agencies represent Auto-Owners in 26 states.
Sixty whole jobs, eh? Willie Green used to post any and everything remotely to do with rapid transit. Remember Willie?
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