GE Digital information technology center opening in Providence, 100 employees to start

GOV. GINA M. Raimondo announced that General Electric plans to open a new GE Digital information technology center in the city. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
GOV. GINA M. Raimondo announced that General Electric plans to open a new GE Digital information technology center in the city. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

(Updated 12:12 and 12:37 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – General Electric Co. plans to open a new GE Digital information technology center, which will bring “hundreds” of new technology jobs to Providence, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said Thursday.

Hiring will start immediately; an exact location for the new center was not disclosed by state officials, as the company is still finalizing lease options, but the governor did say the company is not moving into the vacant Superman building.

“Our top priority is putting people back to work, so I’m thrilled that GE Digital is planning to bring hundreds of new high-paying jobs to Rhode Island over the next several years,” Raimondo said in a news release. “This will create a meaningful opportunity for hundreds of Rhode Island families, and it was made possible by working together with the speaker, Senate president, the congressional delegation, and the business community.”

GE, a global company with more than 300,000 employees and $115 billion in revenue, said the center will develop new software applications and will advance the company’s digital and industrial internet platforms. It will employ engineers and data scientists, as well as professionals with backgrounds in data, design and information technology.

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“We needed a place that had a strong tech talent pipeline, top-tier university partnership opportunities and great quality of life. With its unique location along the northeast corridor, Rhode Island gives us access to many of the assets we need for success,” said Chris Drumgoole, GE’s vice president and chief technology officer. “It has been a pleasure collaborating with Gov. Raimondo, Secretary Pryor and their team to make this new office possible.”

According to the release, GE intends to apply for incentives under the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act and the First Wave Closing Fund.
GE said the Rhode Island center will initially employ 100 people; it plans to expand its presence over the next several years. If it is successful in generating 100 jobs, it could receive approximately $5.6 million in incentives, R.I. Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said.

U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed called it “great news for the state.”
“GE is a world-class Fortune 500 company and Gov. Raimondo has been working very hard to let companies of all sizes know that Rhode Island is a great place to do business. I was glad to work closely with her to successfully make the case to GE about the benefits of opening its new IT operation to Rhode Island,” Reed said.

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza also released a statement, saying GE’s decision to choose Providence “highlights the economic resurgence that is strengthening neighborhoods throughout the city. GE is bringing good jobs in a growing industry. I welcome their decision and look forward to their continued growth and success in Providence.”

The Boston Business Journal reported on Thursday that GE also will open a $3 million global digital operations center in Atlanta, bringing 250 jobs to that city.
Both Providence and Atlanta were mentioned as possible locations for GE’s headquarters last year. Then in January, General Electric announced it would move its headquarters from Fairfield, Conn., to Boston.

More details about the new center are expected to be released by GE and Rhode Island officials next week. Raimondo said the announcement about the center was made today because the company was notifying its employees.

Staff writer Eli Sherman contributed to this report.

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