CARROLLTON, GA – Just two days after announcing its acquisition of assets from Southlake, Texas-based CySolutions, Greenway Medical Technologies is making more news: the expansion of its Georgia headquarters and the addition of some 400 jobs.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Greenway, which develops EHRs, ambulatory IT and clinical research tools used by more than 33,000 providers nationwide, will add 400 jobs in the coming three years – 300 of which will be directly IT-focused. That would nearly double its current workforce of 500.
Greenway's $12 million expansion will also include the construction of two new facilities, adding 80,000 feet and creating a five-building campus that will include corporate headquarters and training facilities, according to the paper.
[See also: Greenway to acquire assets of CySolutions .]
Coming on the heels of a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that the Atlanta region has lost nearly 31,000 jobs in the past year, the expansion is welcome news for one of the hardest-hit employment markets in the country.
“Greenway Medical’s decision to make this investment strengthens Georgia’s position in the health IT sector,” said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal in a news release touting the expansion. “Our state is home to some of the nation’s top health IT firms, with Greenway Medical Technologies among them. I am encouraged by this expansion, and am confident that Georgia will continue to lead in this strategic industry."
"The expansion of Greenway Medical Technologies represents the type of high-quality, high-paying jobs we desire for the citizens of Carrollton and Carroll County," added Carrollton Mayor Wayne Garner. "This community appreciates the Green Family for their corporate investment, and our local team proved that we can and will be aggressive at keeping and growing our existing industries."
Georgia is home to more than 100 health IT companies. The sector is one Georgia's "emerging areas of leadership," said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "The health IT sector is rapidly growing around the nation and particularly here in Georgia, considering the increased focus on finding ways to make health care more affordable and efficient."
Earlier this week, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Gwinnett Technical College, part of the Atlanta Health Information Technology (HIT) cluster, were awarded a $1.65 million grant to boost job creation.
[See also: Atlanta colleges land $1.65 million to create health IT jobs.]
The initiative is part of the federal government’s Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, a tri-agency competition initiated to support the advancement of 20 high-growth, regional industry clusters. The Atlanta HIT cluster’s proposal was one of 20 selected from 125 applicants.
