Tech center setting up shop in Baton Rouge

Ameritas Technologies says it will open an information technology center in Baton Rouge creating 300 jobs.

The startup company's CEO, Brian Keene, said Tuesday that Ameritas will receive a state economic development grant of $125,000 per year over a 10-year period to offset leasing costs at the Chase Tower in the downtown area.

Gov. Bobby Jindal says Ameritas will start hiring in September and open by October. He says the company expects to reach the 300 mark on staffing by 2016.

Jindal says the state's "strong business climate and world class workforce" was what attracted the company to Louisiana. He said its decision to open in Baton Rouge is "further proof our state is becoming a beacon for the digital media and technology services."