Lowe's to build customer support center in Indy

Lowe's plans to build a customer support center in Indianapolis, a move that will create up to 1,000 new jobs by 2016.



The world's second largest home improvement retailer plans to invest $20.5 million to purchase, renovate and equip a 140,000-sq.-ft. office facility at Intech Park 12, 6620 Network Way, on the northwest side of Indianapolis. The new customer support center will support stores and Internet sales, delivery services and repair services for Lowe's customers across the United States. The facility is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2015 and will complement the company's existing customer support centers located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.



"Indiana provides national companies like Lowe's with the perfect building blocks for success," said Gov. Mike Pence. "We have taken all the parts required — a central location, low taxes and a skilled workforce — and assembled them perfectly here in Indiana. Indiana is a state that works for business because we have built the business climate companies like Lowe's need for growth and success."



Lowe's, which currently employs nearly 7,900 people in Indiana, plans to begin hiring for positions at the new customer support center immediately. EmployIndy will offer assistance during the hiring process. Available positions, beginning with the site director position, will be posted this week with additional positions to follow. Applications are accepted online at Lowes.com/careers.



"We chose Indianapolis because of the talented and experienced workforce who we believe can provide outstanding service to our customers," said Don Easterling, Lowe's VP, contact center. "Indianapolis adds a strategic Midwest location to our network of customer support centers located in North Carolina and New Mexico. We appreciate the support of both state and local officials that helped make this a win-win project."



The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Lowe's Home Centers up to $5,500,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The City of Indianapolis will consider tax abatement and additional funding for the direct infrastructure associated with the facility at the request of Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.



"Internationally recognized companies, like Lowe's, are choosing Indy as the place to expand because of our welcoming business climate, central location, and talent pool," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "Indy has seen tremendous business growth this year, and as the city's unemployment rate continues to fall, we look forward to continuing this course."



With national companies like Lowe's picking the state for their new operations, Indiana's workforce growth in June was the largest in the nation. During the past year, Indiana has added more than 53,000 Hoosiers to its labor force. The state's unemployment rate has declined 1.7% over that period, which is the ninth largest decrease in the nation.