Sage Software confirmed plans Friday for a major expansion in Midtown Atlanta that will include the establishment of its North American headquarters and the creation or relocation of 400 jobs over the next few years.
The U.K.-based maker of payroll and other business software also plans an innovation center at its new offices at 271 17th Street in Atlantic Station, joining the ranks of NCR, Worldpay US and several other major corporations announcing corporate centers near Georgia Tech.
Sage has a large operation in Gwinnett County that will remain, and the additions of new employees will bring its headcount in the state to about 1,000, said Marc Scheipe, Sage North America chief financial officer.
Information about financial incentives involved in the company’s recruitment was not immediately available.
Scheipe said the move will help the company tap into the talent of young graduates and programmers from Georgia Tech and other nearby research institutions. Another draw: The company has a collaboration with marketing giant Salesforce, which also has a large presence in Atlanta, and here Sage will work to support a joint project known as Sage Life.
The state Department of Economic Development, Invest Atlanta, Georgia Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber all aided in Sage’s recruitment.
“Just in the past year we’ve announced eight corporate headquarter relocations, and dozens of IT, (research and development) and innovation centers are popping up all over the state,” said state economic development commissioner Chris Carr. He said such moves are an endorsement of the state’s business climate and quality of life.
The latest wave of companies have virtually all touted the talent graduating from Tech and other nearby research universities and the battle for that talent as key reasons for the moves.
Ivory Lee Young Jr., Atlanta City councilman for District Three, said the company is joining a council district home to a vibrant Midtown community, Georgia Tech and the Atlanta University Center. He said the city is also committed to aiding in workforce development needs.
“We came with resources and we’re ready to use them,” he said.
