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Salesforce to make Indy HQ, adding 800 jobs

Posted at 9:34 AM, May 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-06 20:12:50-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was clearly excited about tech company Salesforceto make Indy its new regional headquarters, adding 800 jobs in the process.

At Friday's press conference, Hogsett paraphrased Vice President Joe Biden and said, "This is a big [pause] deal."

Salesforce made the announcement at the headquarters for Salesforce Marketing Cloud – located in the Gibson Building on Capitol Avenue, formerly the home of ExactTarget, which Salesforce later acquired.

The 800 jobs will come to Indianapolis over the next 5 years, coming at no better time than when 1,400 jobs will be leaving, due to the Indianapolis Carrier plant moving to Mexico.

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The company will also be changing the face of Indianapolis' skyline by putting its name on the Chase Tower – soon to be known as the Salesforce Tower.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation says Salesforce is making a $40+ million investment with the expansion. The annual economic impact on the state is $122.7 million.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud CEO Scott McCorkle mentioned RFRA and LGBT rights in the announcement speech. 

"As a company, we are committed to protecting our employees from discrimination, because quality is a core value at Salesforce," McCorkle said. "We also applaud Carmel and Zionsville for their newly passed human rights ordinances."

The announcement comes a little more than a year after Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said the company would reduce its investment in the state due to the then newly signed Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

MORE | Salesforce CEO helps employees relocate amid RFRA fallout | Lilly, Cummins, others: RFRA bad for business | One year later, RFRA casts long shadow

Benioff said he authorized a $50,000 relocation package for an employee who reported not feeling safe in Indiana anymore after RFRA was signed.

At the time, Salesforce joined Eli Lilly, Cummins and other major employers in protesting the law.

ALSO READ | Salesforce donates $100K to IPS teachers

"Today really isn't about the past, it's about the future. To have a global company like Salesforce saying yes to Indiana, increasing 800 high-wage jobs makes me so proud of this state, so proud of the people of this state and really the people of the company here in Indiana today," said Governor Pence.

Mayor Hogsett also touched upon LGBT rights.

"Indianapolis is a great place to raise a family, no matter what that family looks like," he said.