Indianapolis’ largest computer consulting firm is seeking property-tax abatement relating to its plans to create 200 high-paying jobs and invest $600,000 in new equipment.
Bucher & Christian Consulting Inc., located on the 13th floor of downtown’s Market Tower, will present its request at a public hearing Wednesday in front of the Metropolitan Development Commission.
The company said in a filing with the commission that the 200 employees it plans to hire will earn an average salary of $63.38 an hour. The tax abatement also should help it retain 276 jobs paying an average of $55.11 an hour. The filing did not disclose how long it would take to create the new jobs.
Bucher & Christian has enjoyed explosive growth in recent years and could expand its work force to more than 650, including the 200 employees it expects to hire.
The company has added 150 jobs in the past three years, growing its staff to a total of 458. Based on employment, it is the city’s largest computer consulting firm, according to IBJ statistics.
The company also ranks as Indianapolis’ largest minority-owned business in terms of employee numbers.
If approved, the 10-year abatement would become effective in 2010 and would reduce the taxes Bucher & Christian pays on the computer hardware and software it plans to purchase.
The abatement already has been recommended for approval by Metropolitan Development staff.
Justin Christian and Tony Bucher founded the company in 1998. Bucher left the firm earlier this year.
Christian did not return phone calls seeking comment about the firm’s plans, but e-mailed the following response: "Indianapolis has served as our global headquarters for more than a decade and we are excited by the opportunity to invest in this marketplace for years to come. We look forward to confirming our future plans in the weeks ahead."
Jim Jay, president of the Indianapolis-based technology trade group Techpoint, applauded Bucher & Christian for its efforts to expand its presence in the city.
“They’re certainly a company we want to keep in the local market,” he said.
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