Indiana Gov. Pence joined GEICO Chairman Tony Nicely to announce the company’s plans to locate a customer service center in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, creating up to 1,200 new jobs by 2016.
The Washington, DC-based auto insurer will invest millions of dollars to lease, renovate and equip 109,000 square feet of space in the area. The new office, which is expected to be operational by late April, will house professional insurance agents, their training and supervisory teams and additional management and support staff.
“Indiana continues to win the business of leading corporations like GEICO,” said Pence. “While our greatest selling point is always our quality workforce, Indiana’s fiscal stability, low-tax climate and business-friendly policies make days like today happen. We welcome GEICO to Indiana and are confident the gecko will find that our state works for business.”
“We’re very pleased that our substantial growth is making it possible for us to open a new office,” said Nicely. “We chose central Indiana because we know there is a talented and well-educated workforce in this area and we want to offer people long-term career opportunities as we continue to expand.”
Founded in 1936 as an automobile insurance company, GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the third largest private passenger auto insurer in the country, serving more than 11 million auto policies and covering more than 18 million vehicles (auto and motorcycle).
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered GEICO up to $10,000,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $400,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Carmel supports the project.
“We are thrilled to welcome GEICO’s first Indiana location to the Carmel community. Our focus and commitment to a high quality of life and low taxes are always key in attracting and retaining business. When a company with a solid reputation such as GEICO decides to invest in our city, we realize a long term gain through economic development and job growth. With the creation of 1,200 jobs by 2016, this is great news for Carmel and the region,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard.
