Business Booms In Fishers: Local Companies Creating 500 New Jobs

FISHERS, Ind. -- City of Fishers officials are celebrating not only a record year for economic growth, but several local companies' plans to add a total of more than 511 jobs through 2021.

In 2017, Fishers firms committed to 2,185 new jobs and $64.5 million in capital investments, according to a community alert. The announcement culminates with leaders from several locally based tech and engineering businesses sharing their plans to add even more jobs over the next few years.

“The type of economic growth we’re seeing in Fishers is the result of the intentional vision to make (it) a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial community,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said. “To see the numbers of homegrown and Fishers-based companies being celebrated today shows that the momentum of initiatives such as 'Launch Fishers' and the upcoming Fishers IoT Lab are critical to the future of entrepreneurship and economic growth for our city.”

Most 2017 job growth came from Fishers-based or Fishers-grown companies — a nod to the success of the city’s open and supportive business climate. At nearly $66,000, the total average wage for all new jobs announced in 2017 exceeds the county average.

Money Magazine cited Fishers' "entrepreneurial spirit" as one of the top reasons it was named 2017's No. 1 place to live in the U.S.

Companies announcing growth plans include:

Fishers-based Aggressively Organic

An ag tech company dedicated to ending food insecurity through innovative agriculture practices, Agressively Organic announced its plans to add 200 net new jobs and $734,250 in capital investment by 2021. The IEDC has offered the company $2.5 million in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the firm’s job-creation plans.

“As strategic design focused company, we see things in systems instead of silos and that includes where we are located and the community, support, and vision of the future beyond the words but the actions,” CEO Jonathan Partlow said. “This company was born in the basement of a Library in Fishers in the space of possibilities created by Launch. Our mission is a large one and is bigger than ourselves. To end food insecurity in our lifetime it is not sufficient to simply create a product, it requires support from a community that is forward thinking and understands it is systems that are required from education, space, tools, and funding. That is key to creating new ways think about the problem. We have found that here. We were born in Fishers and it is home.”

Fishers-based BrainForest Centers

A technology-based brain health and wellness firm, BrainForest plans to add 185 new jobs and $7.4 million in capital investment by 2021. The IEDC has offered the company $1.8 million in tax credits and $100,000 in training grants based on the firm’s job creation plans.

“BrainForest Centers is a forward thinking, high-tech company utilizing the technologies of tomorrow today, to pinpoint and address the root cause of mental health conditions,” CEO and president Julie Cloud said. “We’re excited to be part of the Fishers community and continue to raise the bar in concussion detection and mitigation strategies!"

Clarke Solutions

Clarke Solutions execs say the company plans to expand its workforce by 60 net new employees and $440,000 in capital investment by 2020. It will receive incentives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). Clarke Solutions specializes in engineering services for the life science, medical device, and food manufacturing industries. The IEDC has offered the company $575,000 in tax credits and $70,000 in training grants based on the firm’s job-creation plans.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the growth and development in Fishers,” president and CEO John Duffin said. “It continues to be an excellent region to recruit top talent as we expand our national footprint and service thereof out of our premiere headquarters in Fishers.”

Complete Structural Consulting (CSC)

CSC leaders plan to expand the company's workforce by 30 net new engineering positions along with $1.5 million in capital investment. The business provides innovative engineering services to steel fabricators, general contractors, architects, and steel detailers around the country. The IEDC has offered the company $285,000 in tax credits and $75,000 in training grants based on the firm’s job-creation plans. CSC is currently looking for three additional structural engineers, one drafter, and as well as three engineers for summer internships.

“I am very encouraged by this partnership with the city of Fishers and for CSC’s future,” president and founder Michael Roach said. “The vibrant Fishers community aligns perfectly with the company’s culture and growth strategies. We’re very excited to be part of this announcement today.”

Launch Fishers business, In Search of Technology

As an IT firm specializing in business's staffing, strategy, and mobile app development, In Search of Technology is on the grow. Company representatives announced their upcoming plans to add 36 new jobs and $236,500 in capital investment. The IEDC has offered the company $472,000 in tax credits over 10 years and $50,000 in training grants based on the firm’s job-creation plans.

“As a fast-growing startup, it’s critical to our success to be surrounded by a supportive, business friendly environment that makes running our business as seamless as possible,” ISOT founder Justin Bryant. “The entrepreneurial support here in Fishers combined with Central Indiana’s tech momentum, this is the ideal location for developing top talent for our clients.”

The IEDC offered conditional tax credits based on the companies’ job creation plans. The incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Fishers supports the projects but did not provide additional incentives beyond the tax credits.

“We have seen tremendous momentum in economic development this year as companies across the state are committing to locate or grow their operations in Indiana,” Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger said.

He emphasized that businesses of all sizes are choosing Indiana for their home bases.

"We look forward to watching companies like Aggressively Organic, BrainForest, Clarke Engineering, Complete Structural Consulting and In Search of Technology expand and find success here in the Hoosier state," Schellinger said.

Image courtesy of city of Fishers on Facebook