Innovation is well underway in the Peach State capital as companies across a wide range of industries build out their presence in the city’s tech sector. The latest company expanding in the Atlanta tech scene is none other than internet giant Cisco Systems. With a local workforce already 1,000 members strong, Cisco announced Wednesday its expansion plans will bring 700 new jobs to the city.
Based in San Jose, Cisco develops internet solutions for businesses and organizations of all sizes. It offers products and services for networking, IoT, security, wireless connectivity, cloud operations and more. In addition to its existing office locations in Atlanta, the company is planning to invest up to $41 million in opening a Talent and Collaboration Center in Midtown. The new office, located in the Coda building at 756 W. Peachtree St., will house engineering, customer experience and finance talent.
“At Cisco, our growth plans are guided by our purpose to power an inclusive future for all. This means building a workforce that is truly reflective of the world we live in,” Scott Herren, Cisco’s CFO, said in a statement. “Building on our deep roots in Georgia, we can’t wait to open our doors and begin hiring and building that pipeline of diverse talent while offering family-sustaining wages.”
Several factors contributed to Cisco’s decision to open up its new location in Atlanta. For starters, the metro offers a diverse array of tech talent ranging across various ethnicities and industries. Looking to capitalize on this opportunity, Cisco plans to make career opportunities available to talent at all experience levels. It’s open to hiring students and individuals in the early stages of building their careers as well as industry professionals.
Additionally, the city’s prosperous business environment makes it an ideal place for company growth. Cisco is expanding its footprint in Atlanta’s Tech Square neighborhood, an area that encompasses both large tech companies and a plethora of startups. Cisco is set up in a prime location to both benefit and contribute to the area’s innovative environment, according to Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech.
“Cisco is a top member of our state’s business community, and it is a pleasure to see them significantly expand their presence in Georgia,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. “Cisco’s reinvestment in the Peach State is a testament to the strong pipeline of talent our colleges and universities produce here. ... We continue to outpace the national average in both attracting and educating tech talent. I look forward to seeing the hundreds of opportunities this Talent and Collaboration Center expansion project creates for hardworking Georgians.”
Cisco’s Talent and Collaboration Center is expected to open during the summer of 2022. In the meantime, the company is currently hiring across its engineering, marketing, operations, sales and project management departments.
