Business News

Perficient Bringing 245 tech jobs to Lafayette

by Patrick Flanagan

Software development center represents third such project in Hub City this year.

St. Louis-based Perficient Inc. President and CEO Jeff Davis announced in early September that the company will establish a software development center in Lafayette, creating 245 new direct jobs averaging $60,000 per year plus benefits.

Perficient President and CEO Jeff Davis says his company will begin hiring in the fourth quarter and will launch its local operations before the end of the year.

Perficient Inc. is an information technology and management consulting firm serving Global 2000 and other large enterprises throughout North America across a broad range of industries, including health care, financial services, retail, energy, electronics, automotive and manufacturing.

In addition to the direct jobs, Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 248 new indirect jobs.

Following announcements by CGI in April and Enquero in July, Perficient represents the third major software development and technology sector project win in the Lafayette area this year. Perficient employs more than 2,200 people worldwide and generates about $450 million in annual revenue.

The company is expected to attract (and help retain) computer science graduates from UL Lafayette and South Louisiana Community College, which has a new two-year software application program. Perficient will locate in InventureWorks' space in Downtown's Gordon Square on Jefferson Street for up to a year and is working with a consultant to identify a permanent location.

"Once again, our business climate, our quality colleges and universities, and our outstanding environment for technology investments in Acadiana have combined to produce a great win for Lafayette and our state," Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a prepared announcement. "Research campuses like [UL Lafayette] and our technical college campuses are vital to our economy because they serve as a pipeline of great workers for jobs of the future. Today, more people than ever before have a job in Louisiana, and we are working tirelessly to make sure that future generations in our state will have access to the greatest career opportunities available. "

"Business leaders feel confident that they are able to tap into our community's top-notch ssets, including superior education programs, digital connectivity and our innovative spirit."

- Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Perficient plans to begin hiring in the fourth quarter of 2014 and says it will launch its operations before the end of the year.

Its goal is to reach employment of 50 by the end of 2015 and reach full employment of 245 within six years, when the company's annual payroll in Lafayette will exceed $16 million.

LEDA's Gregg Gothreaux

"We spent several months carefully assessing multiple markets and options across the United States for the build-out of our domestic delivery center," Davis said. "Lafayette emerged as the ideal location for this meaningful expansion. Lafayette's educated workforce and proximity to several universities were factors, as were the innovative programs established by supportive local and state leaders focused on economic growth. We firmly believe our Lafayette-based center will broaden our flexibility and capacity to serve our growing roster of enterprise clients."

LED says it began discussing potential location options in Louisiana with Perficient in November 2013. To secure the project, it offered the company a customized incentive package that includes the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart - the state's workforce development program. Perficient is expected to utilize Louisiana's Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive and the state's Quality Jobs Program.

"With the announcements of Bell Helicopter, Enquero, CGI and now Perficient, we have proven that Lafayette and Louisiana can compete for world-class companies," City-Parish President Joey Durel said. "These companies are proof that investing in the right infrastructure pays dividends for our citizens."

LEDA President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux said Perficient is another confirmation of Lafayette's reputation as a premier city for doing business. "Business leaders feel confident that they are able to tap into our community's top-notch assets, including superior education programs, digital connectivity and our innovative spirit."

Total No. of Direct Jobs
Enquero - 350
CGI - 400
Perficient - 245