Anthem To Bring 1,800 Jobs to Atlanta With New IT Hub: Officials

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Nathan Deal and Mayor Kasim Reed announced Wednesday that the parent firm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia will bring about 1,800 information technology jobs to Midtown Atlanta by creating a health care IT hub.

The parent firm, Anthem Inc., also will invest more than $20 million in the city through the next six years, according to the governor's office. Anthem’s new facility will be at the Bank of America Plaza, near the Anthem Innovation Studio that recently opened in Tech Square.

In a news conference at the State Capitol, Deal and Reed hailed the Anthem deal as a sign of the city and state's success in attracting high-tech companies and jobs.

“As Georgia continues to grow its reputation as the nation’s top destination for the health IT industry, major companies like Anthem continue to strategically position themselves here,” Deal said in a statement.

Anthem's latest move follows its announcement in February that it will open a call and customer service center in Columbus, creating 450 jobs, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Reed pointed out that Anthem is the third Fortune 500 company this year to announce plans to open an IT center in the city.

“I am excited that Anthem has chosen Atlanta for its consolidated IT business, where the company will have access to a base of highly skilled workers and a thriving business community focused on building for the future,” the mayor said. “This move demonstrates that Atlanta is the region’s leader in technology and IT talent."