Unisys to locate new application modernization center to provide Information Technology services to federal agencies and other clients.
Gov. Jay Nixon today took part in the official announcement that worldwide information technology company Unisys is locating a new application modernization center of excellence in St. Louis, a project that is expected to create 300 new high-tech jobs in St. Louis in the next two years. The new center will provide a central team of highly-skilled experts focused on building, operating and maintaining cutting-edge software applications for Unisys federal government and commercial clients.
The Governor made the announcement today at a ceremony at the downtown offices of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, joined by company executives and local community and government leaders.
“We are thrilled that a respected, internationally-renowned IT company like Unisys has chosen St. Louis as the location for its new application modernization center, which we expect to create 300 high-tech, high-paying jobs for our fellow Missourians,” Gov. Nixon said. “Unisys’ decision to invest in the state of Missouri is the latest indication of the undeniable momentum of our economic recovery. The strategic use of state economic incentives, which are providing an excellent return on investment to Missouri taxpayers in terms of jobs created, helped pave the way for this announcement to become reality.”
The state of Missouri awarded Unisys $4.5 million in Missouri Quality Jobs program tax credits, which provides tax credits to businesses that create a predetermined number of jobs, among other qualifications. The state’s incentive package also includes $900,000 in New Jobs Training funding and $212,500 in Recruitment Assistance.
Unisys’ new facility will serve as the core application development hub for Unisys Federal Systems, centralizing non-client site application modernization services and support provided for the company’s government clients, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA Rural Development agency recently awarded a contract to Unisys for applications modernization and end user support services to support the full range of the agency’s programs serving the citizens of rural America.
The company has already begun staffing the center, which is currently operating out of a temporary location in St. Louis, with a variety of occupations, including IT positions in the areas of application and architecture development. Certified developers at the center will also work to develop applications for Apple Mac, Apple iPhone and iPad environments in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Federal government. New jobs created at the center, which is expected to move into its permanent location in downtown St. Louis later this year, will pay an average annual salary of $55,000.
“I’m pleased to welcome Unisys into the City of St. Louis. Unisys is the type of forward-thinking company that will thrive in our urban environment,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. “Unisys will provide good jobs to City residents, and our City will provide the talent this company needs to succeed. I would like to thank the RCGA and St. Louis Development Corporation for their success in locating Unisys in the City of St. Louis.”
“Today’s announcement represents the creation of exactly the kind of high-tech jobs that will be crucial to Missouri’s 21st- century economy,” Gov. Nixon said. “Having Unisys invest in the St. Louis area will provide another shot-in-the-arm for our rebounding economy, which has created more than 31,000 new jobs in Missouri over the past 4 months.”