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INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayor Greg Ballard today joined Roche Diagnostics President and CEO Jack Phillips as well as other Roche executives and community leaders to break ground on the company's new Learning and Development Center. The center is the first element of a $300 million site transformation investment that was announced in June 2012. The city of Indianapolis and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Roche tax abatements, tax credits and training grants to support Roche's investment.
"Roche's decision to grow and invest in Indianapolis is a testament to our strength as a life sciences center," said Mayor Ballard, who participated in the ceremony held on the company's campus near the intersection of 96th Street and Interstate 69. "They've been an important part of our life sciences heritage for nearly 50 years now, and this expansion signals an important commitment to the region."
"Central Indiana has been our home since 1964 and we are here to stay," said Jack Phillips, president and CEO of Roche Diagnostics, adding that the company's history and growth in the region is due in part to the community's outstanding workforce and partnerships with the state and city that have enhanced job creation.
The company, a leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, will invest $300 million during the next 10 years at its North American headquarters on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The capital investments will support the company's growing diagnostics and diabetes care businesses. The new Learning and Development Center will host the training of more than 1,500 customers from across the nation each year.
"It is fitting that the new Learning and Development Center is the first phase of our site transformation because it reflects our commitment to always put the customer first," said Phillips.
The ceremony also marked the first public unveiling of the new building's renderings, which when completed will be one of the most unique structures in Central Indiana. The center will employ a distinct architectural style consistent with the company's European heritage.
"As a key piece of our North American Headquarters, the new Learning and Development Center will serve as a hub and gateway for worldwide operations," said Phillips. "We felt that it was important for the building to reflect our global influence, right here in Indianapolis."
