DCED: State Investments Will Help IT Company Create 30 Jobs in Downtown Wilkes-Barre

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An information-technology company will expand its operations in Pennsylvania and create 30 high-paying jobs with its opening of a new office in Wilkes-Barre, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced today.

OPTiMO Information Technology plans to open a 5,000-square-foot office in downtown Wilkes-Barre, purchase new equipment and provide extensive employee training. The project will also retain 30 existing positions.

"OPTiMO's decision to pick a vital Pennsylvania community to locate its business is great news for the Luzerne County workforce and is further evidence of the success of our economic development strategies," said DCED Secretary Austin Burke. "By making investments in projects like this, we're not only helping to create good jobs and leverage private investment, we're positioning Pennsylvania for future economic success."

OPTiMO is a full-service, technology-solutions provider to the federal and commercial markets, and its services include staffing, digital forensics and information assurance.

"OPTiMO is excited about our continued success and the opportunities that have been presented to us. We look forward to our future growth and the opportunity to give back to the region through the creation of additional high-tech jobs in northeast Pennsylvania," said OPTiMO CEO Mike Miguelez.

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.

Since Governor Edward G. Rendell took office in 2003, GAT has successfully completed 1,188 projects, resulting in commitments to create 128,893 new jobs and retain 302,144 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $2.2 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $16 billion in additional investment.

For the OPTiMO project, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry helped the company obtain a $120,500 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development. The offer includes a $35,000 opportunity grant, $25,500 in job training assistance, and $60,000 in job creation tax credits.  

"The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry is pleased to welcome OPTiMO to the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre as it solidifies its business model and expands services to clients," said Chamber CEO Todd Vonderheid. "It's critical to have a mix of very young, early-stage and stable companies in the Innovation Center at all times to ensure the kinds of synergy and shared learning that results from that dynamic, and benefits all tenants."

For more information on OPTiMO, visit www.optimo-it.com.

For more information on the Governor's Action Team and other Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact:  Luke Webber, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development