A Canadian technology support company will plant its U.S. headquarters in downtown Nashville. A firm called IQT announced plans Thursday for 900 jobs over the next five years.
IQT’s Alex Mortman says in a statement that the company wants “educated, technology savvy” employees to fill a sales and IT support call center.
Mayor Karl Dean has made a point of keeping university students in town after graduation and he says IQT will help do that.
“When there are jobs that are directed at recent college graduates and that’s a technology based company, that is a very positive thing.”
The Metro Council has already approved some of the enticements extended to IQT, which include $500 per job. Dean says the city has to pay to be competitive. And while it’s a case-by-case basis, Dean says he’d do the same for other technology companies.
“I would hope that they know they could call us and talk. And if we’ve got the same level of confidence that we have with this project, I would probably be interested in going forward.”
Dean says the one-time payout per job will be closely monitored, though the agreement doesn’t say how long the positions have to exist in order to keep the money.
The Metro Development and Housing Authority is also considering a one-time grant to help IQT with start up costs. It would have to be approved by the Metro Council.
The agreement with IQT is similar to one with Asurion. The cell phone insurer announced expansion plans late last year. But neither is as generous as the deal with Dell. Metro gives the computer maker $500 per job every year.
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