WYRZ.org 98.9 WYRZ – The Voice of Hendricks County
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 6, 2015) – Rook Security, a provider of global information technology (IT) security solutions, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 132 new high-wage jobs by 2024.
“Today Indiana is leading the Midwest’s transformation as a destination for technology,” said Governor Mike Pence. “We’re witnessing firms with national reputations like Rook Security repeatedly choose to create great, high-paying jobs in Indiana in part because of the knowledgeable, creative workforce that calls Indiana home. Through our commitment to retaining and attracting top talent through the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative, that’s a Hoosier workforce that will only continue to grow.”
Rook Security will invest $589,000 to upgrade and purchase new technology equipment and hardware for its corporate headquarters at 120 E. Market St. in downtown Indianapolis. This will allow the company to outfit additional associates in order to keep pace with sales growth.
Rook Security, which relocated to Indianapolis from Silicon Valley, California, in 2010, currently employs 53 Hoosiers. The company expects to begin hiring for development, sales and consulting positions this fall. Interested applicants may apply online at www.rooksecurity.com/careers.
“The universities in the state of Indiana are producing great talent and that talent pool is brilliant,” said J.J. Thompson, chief executive officer of Rook Security. “The people here are hardworking, loyal and dedicated – it’s an amazing chemistry. Indiana is a fantastic area to be a growing tech firm.”
Founded as Rook Consulting in Silicon Valley in 2008, Rook Security provides global IT security solutions, including security consulting, security assessment and managed security services, to protect companies and sensitive data from emerging threats such as hacking. The company, which continues to operate in San Jose as well, works with startups to Fortune 500 companies in some of the most vital industries like health care, finance and marketing.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Rook Consulting Inc. (dba Rook Security) up to $2,730,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $140,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Indianapolis supports this expansion at the request of Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.
“I am so pleased that Rook Security chose Indianapolis as the place to expand their operation,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “Our tech sector is thriving here, and that speaks volumes about our pool of top talent.”
More than 5,000 technology-related jobs have been created in central Indiana alone since 2009, growing at a rate of 17 percent, which is more than double the growth rate of all occupations. According to TechPoint, these jobs average more than $75,000 annually. Compared to Silicon Valley, Indiana offers a lower cost of doing business as well as reduced corporate taxes. A full Indiana vs. California cost comparison can be viewed here.
