Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) President Elaine Bedel joined local officials and executives from BCforward, a global information technology consulting and staffing firm, as the company announced plans Thursday to expand its operations in Hamilton County.
As part of its growth, the company plans to create up to 300 new jobs by 2021 and establish a new digital training center to help ensure employees and customers are on the forefront of the latest skills and trends in information technology and other services.
“Thanks to companies like BCforward, tech jobs in central Indiana are growing at a rate more than double the U.S. average, creating quality opportunities for Hoosiers to advance their careers,” said Bedel. “As the Crossroads of America and a hub for growing technology, Indiana is the ideal location for global firms working with and serving customers across the country and around the world. BCforward’s commitment to advancing innovation and digital skills training is yet another step forward for this burgeoning sector, and we look forward to the many contributions they will make to our tech community here in Indiana.”
The Carmel-based company will invest more than $1 million over three years to establish a Digital Innovation Academy within its Indiana headquarters to serve both employees and customers, allowing them to meet the evolving digital needs of its client base. With investments in new talent, upgraded equipment and software, the companies will be able to provide new training including simulation labs and innovation activities.
As part of its expansion, the company will hire for positions at both BCforward and its subsidiary, Stafforward, both headquartered at 9777 N. College Ave. The companies are hiring for positions in technology consulting and administrative and clerical positions. Interested applicants may apply online.
“We are a global company but our roots are here in Indiana and the most important investment we can make is in our people,” said BCforward Founder and CEO Justin Christian. “As we grow our workforce here, we are excited about this next chapter and giving our employees new opportunities to expand their knowledge and their careers.”
Founded in 1998, BCforward is a certified Indiana Minority Owned Business Enterprise that provides consulting, outsourcing and staffing services in project management, software development, strategic IT planning and systems administration, while Stafforward was created in 2010 to respond to the growing customer demand for talent acquisition in the non-IT industries such as the administrative, industrial, healthcare and scientific fields.
With more than 6,000 employees worldwide, BCforward and Stafforward currently serve more than 150 customers in variety of sectors including government, financial, healthcare, life science and manufacturing. The company has a presence in 47 states, Canada, Europe and India, allowing its workforce to serve its customers with worldwide operations.
“We are excited to learn that another corporate headquarters has chosen to expand and grow its business here in Carmel,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. “We have worked hard to create a strong business environment attractive to high-tech companies, along with a high quality of life to attract a highly educated workforce. We look forward to sharing in the success of BCforward for many years to come. “
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered BCforward up to $2.6 million in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Carmel supports the project.
During 2016 and 2017, tech jobs in the Indianapolis metro grew at a rate of 18.4 percent – more than double the U.S. average and ranking sixth across U.S. and Canada, according to CBRE’s Tech-30 report.