Marketing agency expanding, adding jobs

ROANOKE, Ind. (WANE)  BMD Agency, LLC, a creative design firm, will expand operations in Allen County and create up to 27 new jobs by 2016.

The company will invest $4.1 million to build and equip a 20,000 square foot facility in the Silverado Industrial Park, a state certified shovel ready site in Allen County. BMD Agency plans to move from its current Fort Wayne site to the new facility by the end of the year.

"It's encouraging to see a young company continue to create new opportunities for Hoosiers," said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "We know BMD Agency had other options available for this expansion, but this is the latest evidence that Indiana's pro-growth, low-tax climate works for small businesses."

BMD Agency, which currently has 29 full-time employees in Indiana, is currently hiring additional writers and graphic designers. Interested applicants can apply by clicking here.

"Most of our new clients are from outside of Indiana and that has made it tempting to expand our operations closer to new opportunities," said Jeff Britton, principal of BMD Agency. "But our roots are here in Indiana. Our long-standing client Vera Bradley is here and we believe that our Midwestern work ethic, combined with the latest technology, a new inspiring work environment and an expanded world-class team will allow us to compete with the best. We look forward to our continued future in northeast Indiana and thank the IEDC and local officials for helping make this expansion possible."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered BMD Agency, LLC up to $260,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $30,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Fort Wayne approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance.

"We are pleased that BMD Agency has chosen to reinvest in our community and its residents," said Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner. "We are also happy our Shovel Ready Site program is being put to good use by a worthy company that is bringing new jobs and investment to the local economy."