Posted by Heidi Schwartz
Perficient President and CEO Jeff Davis has announced that the company will establish a software development center in Lafayette, LA, creating 245 new direct jobs. Perficient plans to begin hiring in the fourth quarter of 2014 while launching its operations before the end of the year.
“We spent several months carefully assessing multiple markets and options across the United States for the build-out of our domestic delivery center,” Davis said. “Lafayette emerged as the ideal location for this meaningful expansion. Lafayette’s educated workforce and proximity to several universities were factors, as were the innovative programs established by supportive local and state leaders focused on economic growth. We firmly believe our Lafayette-based center will broaden our flexibility and capacity to serve our growing roster of enterprise clients.”
LED began discussing potential location options in Louisiana with Perficient in November 2013. To secure the project, LED offered the company a customized incentive package that includes the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart®. Perficient is expected to use Louisiana’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive and the state’s Quality Jobs Program.
“These are exciting times for Lafayette and Acadiana,” Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel said. “With the announcements of Bell Helicopter, Enquero, CGI and now Perficient, we have proven that Lafayette and Louisiana can compete for world-class companies. These companies are proof that investing in the right infrastructure pays dividends for our citizens.”
Perficient’s goal is to reach employment of 50 by the end of 2015 and reach full employment of 245 within six years, when the company’s annual payroll in Lafayette will exceed $16 million. The company employs more than 2,200 people worldwide and has annualized revenue of approximately $450 million.
“This announcement by Perficient is another confirmation of Lafayette’s reputation as a premier city for doing business—in the technology sector and beyond,” said President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “Business leaders feel confident that they are able to tap into our community’s top-notch assets, including superior education programs, digital connectivity and our innovative spirit. With a commitment to bring 245 new jobs to the area over six years, we hope Perficient and its employees will become valuable and active corporate citizens in Acadiana. Together we can accomplish much.”
Based in St. Louis, MO, Perficient Inc. is an information technology and management consulting firm. Perficient represents the third major software development and technology sector project in the Lafayette area this year.