Carmel-based software firm planning to invest $2.6M in Westfield HQ, hire up to 65

SEP, an employee-owned software development firm, is planning an expansion that includes building a $25 million headquarters in Westfield by next year and up to 65 new jobs by the end of 2025.

Carmel-based SEP, which currently has 142 employees, announced Thursday that it intends to build a 70,000-square-foot headquarters on 20 acres near U.S. 31 and 161st Street in Westfield.

SEP is partnering with Indianapolis-based Pure Development to construct the building and the two companies will split the ownership when it’s completed. The city of Westfield offered the land for the project and SEP is putting $2.6 million into construction.

The expansion will more than double the company’s current footprint and allow it to hire more employees, according to the firm. It expects to create up to 65 jobs paying an average salary of $87,000 by the end of 2025.

“SEP is ready to build our forever home,” SEP President and CEO Raman Ohri said. “It’s a unique opportunity to have an amazing facility overlooking a beautiful nature preserve, and we’d be honored to care for it for generations to come.”

Construction is scheduled to begin this September, with move-in expected in December 2021. SEP also plans to provide walking trails and fire pits on the campus.

Founded in 1988 as Software Engineering Professionals Inc., SEP was ranked ninth on IBJ’s most recent list of the largest software developers in the Indianapolis area.

The company currently leases space in the James Building’s 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th floors at 4 Center Green in Carmel. Kelly Wilson, SEP’s director of marketing and public relations, said employees will continue to work in that space until the company’s lease runs out and the new headquarters is finished next year.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered SEP up to $1.125 million in conditional tax credits based on its hiring plans. The tax credits cannot be claimed until SEP hires employees.

The Westfield City Council may consider additional incentives as the project goes through city review.

“SEP is the kind of company that Westfield is trying to attract,” Westfield Mayor Andy Cook said in a media release. “It brings a workforce and wage that that will help our community compete.

“I am equally as excited about the ‘intangibles.’ The innovation this team will bring to our community is unrivaled, and The SEP Foundation contributes to the community-focused mindset we work hard to cultivate in Westfield.”

Last year, the company created The SEP Foundation, which supports local organizations that help individuals and families reach self-sufficiency.