IBM expanding Calgary facility, will create 250 new jobs
IBM Canada will be opening a new client innovation centre in Calgary, and said its creation will generate 250 new jobs.
The new client innovation centre will service all of Western Canada and will be located in a portion of the 25,000 square-foot office IBM currently occupies in the Beltline.
"We will be renovating and reinvigorating that space to make it even more amazing to collaborate with our client and new employees that we're going to be hiring," said Laura Hartwell, vice president Western Canada for IBM.
Jobs created will be in artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud, 5G and security – including application developers, business and transformation analysts, testers and project managers.
The company said the centre will play an important role in contributing to Alberta's economic growth.
"It will accelerate innovation in sustainable practices and advance the position of Alberta as a hub for energy transformation," said Dave McCann, president of IBM Canada, in a Wednesday release.
Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek said the expansion of IBM in the downtown core is "yet another signal of confidence in our city's growing tech sector."
She later added, these investments are instrumental in achieving our goal of creating more than 1000 new tech companies in our city over the next decade."
The city contributed $5 million for the launch as part of its Opportunity Investment Fund. The province matched that amount as part of the "Jobs Now" program.
Premier Jason Kenney said IBM noticed the Alberta advantage, and is helping diversify the economy.
"(IBM has) been looking at the whole range of incentives, the tax structure, availability of incentives for skilled labour, the labour market situation, the training picture in the region," he said.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce said the announcement is validating for a city that has endured seven years of economic instability, as companies packed up downtown offices.
Chamber President and CEO Deb Yedlin said attracting deals like this requires strategic moves.
"Sometimes you have to spend money to attract businesses. That's what we need to do more often, I would argue, in Calgary and in Alberta," said Yedlin to CTV News on Wednesday.
She later added, "This is a game that is played everywhere. It's played around the world. And we need to be part of that game. This is table stakes."
According to a report from Calgary Economic Development and international data corporation (IDC) Canada, Alberta's spending on digital transformation is expected to surpass $20 billion by 2024, of which Calgary businesses will account for nearly $7.5 billion, which represents an average growth of 13 per cent across all industries.
IBM said internal recruiting is underway, with the jobs being added over the next five years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that's not how prison works: ex-official
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.

Prince Harry back in court for second day of grilling over U.K. tabloid claims
Prince Harry was back in the witness box at the High Court in London on Wednesday for a second day of grilling over his allegations that British tabloids targeted him with phone-hacking and other unlawful behaviour.
Want to know more about the wildfires spreading across Canada? Send us your questions
Wildfires currently burning across parts of Canada are some of the most severe ever witnessed, and experts say the 'unprecedented' fire season will become the new normal. CTVNews.ca wants to hear from Canadians with questions about wildfires, including their health impacts and how to stay safe.
Bank of Canada to announce interest rate decision this morning
The Bank of Canada is set to announce its interest rate decision this morning as speculation about another rate hike heats up.
Canadian forest fire centre responds to unprecedented wildfire season
With 415 active wildfires across the country as of Tuesday afternoon, and 238 were considered out of control, it has meant long hours for people working at the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre trying to figure out where firefighters and equipment are needed most at any given time.
'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure': Experts say a national fire service could help battle wildfires
During a record-setting wildfire season, experts say prevention of more disasters is important, citing a Canada-wide fire service could help mitigate blazes.
Pope Francis to undergo intestinal surgery under general anesthesia
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital for intestinal surgery Wednesday, the latest malady to befall the 86-year-old pontiff who had part of his colon removed two years ago.
Tim Hortons to launch credit card through mobile rewards app
Tim Hortons is launching a credit card that can be used through its mobile app, the latest move into an increasingly competitive rewards space.
5 things to know for Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Special Rapporteur David Johnston will launch foreign interference hearings in July, travellers from 13 more countries are now eligible to visit Canada without a visa, and rent across Canada climbs.