North American Technology Company Begins Operations in Kenner

Several months after announcing plans to move its corporate headquarters to Kenner, the 4^th Source office is officially open for business. The large North American technology company recently began operations in Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), in conjunction with the City of Kenner and the Jefferson Parish Government, joined 4^th Source at its new offices to celebrate the company’s grand opening Tuesday.

4^th Source, a systems and information technology company, relocated their corporate headquarters and delivery services center to Kenner from Georgia, where it will continue to provide near-shore technology and IT services to a variety of industries. Currently, 15 employees work out of the new headquarters. Eight of those employees are newly-based in Jefferson Parish. The company anticipates the creation of 320 direct jobs over time at an average salary of $50,000, plus benefits. Employees will work in a 5,000-square-foot shared space that was created to enhance connectivity, creativity and collaboration. This corporate headquarters is the company’s fourth office established in the U.S.

“4^th Source Provides products and services that support critical information technology functions within companies,” says 4^th Source CEO Michael Wedge. “We allow our customers to focus on their core business while we provide information technology support that is higher quality, lower risk, and lower cost.”

Wedge, who grew up in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, cited a variety of reasons for choosing to locate in Kenner. He was particularly pleased with the location because of the emerging IT industry in the Greater New Orleans area and the private/public partnerships to enhance technology curriculums in our colleges and universities.

Throughout every stage of this project, JEDCO worked closely with the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish Government, and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to ensure 4^th Source was provided with all the tools and information to aid in their decision to relocate to Kenner. JEDCO arranged site selection efforts, supplied demographic, wage and local market data pertaining to the burgeoning information technology industry in Jefferson Parish, and offered incentives guidance to 4^th Source leaders, while also offering transitional office and meeting space.

JEDCO coordinated this project with LED, which led the state economic development program to offer the company a competitive incentive package. The package included comprehensive access to LED’s FastStart, the nation’s number one comprehensive workforce training program, as well as utilization of Louisiana’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive and the state’s Quality Jobs Program.

“It has been so exciting to play a role in this project,” says Jerry Bologna, JEDCO Executive Director. “4^th Source’s investment in this state-of-the-art headquarters highlights the resources and workforce base available in this community as the technology industry strives to reach critical mass. Not only is 4^th Source bringing new jobs to our region, but it will provide an immense boost to the economic climate within Jefferson Parish and the City of Kenner. JEDCO continues to stand ready to support the 4^th Source team as they begin to call Jefferson home.”

“The JEDCO team has gone the extra mile to support us in our move to Kenner,” adds Wedge of his experience with the economic development organization. “From our first meeting until today’s Grand Opening event, JEDCO has demonstrated a business-friendly approach conducive to attract organizations to the area.”

“This is great news for Kenner for many reasons,” Kenner Mayor Michael Yenni says. “We add a company in the growing technology market that will create hundreds of high-paying jobs. And the partnership between JEDCO and state and local officials that helped to bring 4^th Source to Kenner bodes well for the future of economic development in the city.”

“This is a truly exciting day for Jefferson Parish,” adds Parish President John F. Young. “We would like to commend JEDCO’s efforts, along with the collaboration between state, regional and local organizations, in bringing this headquarters to the area.  The attraction of 4th Source to Jefferson Parish speaks volumes about our community’s business-focused climate and vast assets. We are thrilled to welcome 4th Source to the community and look forward to a long-term partnership with this outstanding company.”

“Greater New Orleans, Inc. is thrilled to welcome 4th Source to the region,” says Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “Greater New Orleans is the fastest growing technology market in the USA, with a strong foundation of local companies increasingly complimented by dynamic new firms, like 4th Source.  The result is a growing critical mass of outstanding companies and jobs for our community.”

The 4^th Source office is located at 2400 Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Kenner. The company plans to employ 320 people in Kenner by 2018.

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ABOUT 4^TH SOURCE: 4^th Source, Inc. is a systems and information technology company founded in 2004. Headquartered in its new Kenner, LA location, 4^th Source provides custom software and IT solutions to clients in the healthcare, software/IT and financial services industries. In addition to Georgia and Jefferson Parish, the company has offices in Memphis, TN and Denver, CO. Three delivery centers currently operate out of Mexico. For more information, visit www.4thsource.com.