PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced that Infosys, the global leader in consulting, technology, and next generation services, intends to open its new Design and Innovation Hub in Providence and create 500 jobs in Rhode Island by 2022.
"We are excited to welcome Infosys to Rhode Island," said Governor Raimondo. "Because of our investments in higher education and job training at CCRI and other institutions across the state, Rhode Islanders are well-equipped and well-prepared to compete for these good-paying jobs. Infosys joins a growing local market of innovative, advanced industry companies that have chosen to plant a flag in Rhode Island."
"Today's partnership with Rhode Island marks another important step forward for Infosys in the United States. The state's educational institutions, design-rich environment, and economic development tools positioned Rhode Island competitively for this type of specialized partnership," said Ravi Kumar, President, Infosys. "This will enhance our ability to provide design-driven, digital technologies across the country and enable breakthrough innovations at the intersection of industry and design for our clients."
Infosys employs over 198,000 employees worldwide. These new hires in Rhode Island will include experienced designers, design architects, specialists in information design and technical experts and consultants to accelerate the digital transformation of Infosys' clients in Rhode Island and beyond. Infosys intends to apply for incentives under the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act, the Rebuild Rhode Island program, and the state's First Wave Closing Fund.
"This is a big win for Rhode Island as Infosys could have chosen anywhere to open this Design and Innovation Hub," said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. "In choosing Rhode Island, this global company has discovered what we already know - that the Ocean State is full of tech-ready and design talent, is home to top-tier universities, and is a great place to do business. We're proud that Infosys is the 22nd company landing or expanding in Rhode Island with support from our economic development programs."
The global company's expansion in the Ocean State is the latest sign that businesses are taking a fresh look at Rhode Island thanks to the Raimondo administration's efforts to train Rhode Islanders to compete for the jobs companies are creating. Since Governor Raimondo took office, Rhode Island's unemployment rate - which was the highest in America in 2014 - has been cut by one-third and is now in line with the national average.
With this announcement, the economic tools Governor Raimondo created with support from the General Assembly are creating roughly 2,100 permanent jobs through the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act. Additionally, the Rebuild Rhode Island program is enabling roughly $800 million of investment in our local economy through 26 real estate development projects across the state, supporting 3,400 construction jobs.
Earlier this year, Infosys announced that it plans to hire 10,000 American workers over the next two years. The company has made significant progress towards that commitment, and is investing in Technology and Innovation Hubs in Indianapolis, Indiana and Raleigh, North Carolina.
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