Cummins Inc. announced Tuesday, Oct. 26, that it has reached an agreement to purchase the First Financial Bank branch and office tower at 500 Washington St. in Columbus, Ind., to meet the demand for office space for its growing Southern Indiana work force. Cummins says it plans to add at least 350 professional employees to the local work force over the next 18 months, largely as result of its expected strong growth around the world over the next several years.
The new jobs will be in engineering, technical and other professional positions, and will support Cummins’ global operations. Cummins, which currently employs about 6,000 people in Indiana, began moving employees into its newest office in downtown Columbus in 2009. That building is expected to be filled in early 2011.
“Our success in our global markets has a direct benefit to Indiana, where we are creating the kind of high-paying professional jobs that strengthen our community,” says Cummins Tim Solso, chairman and chief executive officer. “Simply put, growth in international markets like India, China and Brazil create jobs in Indiana.”
“Growth in international markets is once again creating hundreds of opportunities for Hoosiers,” says Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. “This is the company’s second major expansion in just a few months, which is further indication that Indiana continues to be the global location of choice for businesses.”
The State of Indiana is providing Cummins with tax incentives to support the job growth as well as providing financial resources and other support to the community to enhance its educational systems.
“We cannot create good jobs without the education infrastructure to support them,” says Tom Linebarger, Cummins president and chief operating officer. “That is why we applaud Indiana’s investment in programs that will strengthen our education system.”
Cummins expects to close on the buildings by the end of this year and take possession by the end of the first quarter 2011. First Financial has plans to build a new Columbus complex on property at Third and Brown streets in downtown Columbus.
This is Cummins’ second significant jobs announcement in Indiana in recent months. In July, Cummins announced a $100 million investment in an expansion of its High-Horsepower Technical Center and production line in Seymour. Cummins expects to add as many as 200 engineering and technical jobs over the next five years.
