HARTFORD, Conn. _ Infosys, an Indian information technology and consulting firm, will establish a $20.6 million technology and innovation center in Hartford staffed by 1,000 employees in the next four years, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday.
In one of the largest economic development projects in the governor's seven years in office, Infosys will receive up to $14 million in state grants.
"Connecticut's tremendous assets and talent pipeline continue to attract high-caliber companies to the state, and I look forward to the value that Infosys will bring to our business community," Malloy said.
The jobs are expected to pay average salaries of at least $70,000 per year, the governor's office said.
Ravi Kumar, president of Infosys, said the Hartford site, which is yet to be determined, will help the company reach the New England market and expand the local workforce to help customers compete in insurance, health care and manufacturing sectors that are increasingly establishing digital business models.
Kumar said Hartford's strong presence in the insurance industry places Infosys close to customers. And the state's colleges and universities will help accelerate the recruitment of highly-skilled local workers, he said.
Catherine Smith, state economic development commissioner, said the tech jobs will help boost Connecticut's high-tech workforce in finance, insurance and other industries.
Connecticut officials began talking with Infosys last year and company executives, including the chief technology officer, visited the state three times, she said in an interview.
Hartford is one of four U.S. hubs to be established by Infosys. It announced last week the start of its Technology and Innovation Hub in Indianapolis and also has picked Providence and Raleigh, N.C.
The company has hired more than 2,500 U.S. workers in the past year as part of its effort to "accelerate innovation for American enterprises."
Infosys said last May it intends to hire 10,000 U.S. "technology professionals" in the next two years. Workers will focus on artificial intelligence, big data, the cloud, emerging digital technologies and other areas, Infosys said.
The company passed the $10 billion mark in revenue for the first time last year and posted $2.1 billion in profit.
Connecticut will provide up to $12 million in grants after certain job creation milestones are met as part of the First Five Plus Program, which Malloy and the legislature established to attract large employers.
Infosys also is eligible for up to $2 million in training grants to support partnerships between the company and local education organizations.
Infosys is eligible for more assistance if it significantly exceeds 1,000 jobs. The incentives in place can support up to 2,000 jobs, the Department of Economic and Community Development said.
State funding will be used to buy computer and office equipment, improvements in leased property and training.
