Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia opened the doors to a new 235,000 square foot facility in Columbus.
The new three-story building is expected to house almost 2,000 people by 2017.
This new facility will serve as the main hub for close to three million members and will house the largest number of BCBS of GA employees anywhere in Georgia.
US senators and local officials broke ground for the new facility on technology parkway a year ago. On Wednesday we got a behind the scenes look at the sustainable and LEED certified building equipped with two wings, an atrium, a walking path, outdoor patio, cafeteria, and a fitness center.
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle said Blue Cross Blue Shield has a long history in the state.
“Their roots are very deep and to have their confidence in our state to make this type of significant investment really means an awful lot, but more importantly obviously the jobs it represents,” Cagle said.
BCBS of GA President Morgan Kendrick said they’ve been in the Columbus market for more than 50 years.
“As our business continues to prosper and grow, we’re a company of Georgians serving Georgians, we will continue to expand,” Kendrick said.
A total of 1,400 employees will move from their old location on Warm Springs Road into this state-of-the-art facility by mid October. The building can hold up to 2,000 employees and the additional space lends opportunity for growth and new jobs
Mayor Teresa Tomlinson adds the success with this company will spill over to future businesses in the city.
“They were sharing with us that they’re seeing ample qualified workforce from our community, and that bodes well with our other prospects that were going after right now,” Tomlinson said.
“It makes Georgia proud, it makes Columbus proud, and its a building that will be here for generations to come,” Cagle said.
This new facility will serve as a prototype for future offices for Blue Cross Blue Shield’s parent company Anthem.
Date: September 3, 2015