Education group plans local expansion, 30 jobs

Project Lead the Way Inc., a not-for-profit education group that moved its headquarters from New York to Indianapolis in late 2011, plans a local expansion that will add 30 jobs here by 2016, the state announced Wednesday.

The not-for-profit said it plans to spend $1.7 million to expand its headquarters at The Precedent Office Park to 27,000 square feet, more than doubling its size. The expanded facility is expected to open next month.

PLTW has 108 employees, including 56 in Indiana.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said it would provide the group up to $200,000 in performance-based training grants based on the latest job-creation plans.

PLTW develops and supports K-12 science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, curriculum for schools across the country. The expansion will help the group expand its new elementary school program and launch a computer science program that is now piloted in 60 U.S. schools.

PLTW said it will begin hiring this month for positions in information technology, communications, marketing, school engagement, curriculum development and training.

Founded in 1997, PLTW provides curriculum and teacher training to more than 5,000 schools in 50 states. It is the nation’s largest provider of STEM programs.

“The expansion of PLTW strengthens Indy’s position as the capital of education innovation nationwide,” Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said in a prepared statement. “PLTW’s growth will attract new jobs and innovators to our city, and its work shines a positive light on the great work taking place in Indy to improve the educational outcome for students.”

PTLW has already fulfilled an incentive agreement it made with IEDC when it moved here in 2011. The agreement called for the group to receive $240,000 in tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants if it employed at least 44 local workers by 2014.

The not-for-profit also received county option income tax refunds from the city because of the move.