Company plans 1,000 jobs in Norwood

An Illinois-based information technology and digital marketing company plans to locate about 1,000 jobs in Norwood, the company confirmed Tuesday.

CDK Global will open its new Services Center of Excellence in the city's Central Parke development at 4600 Montgomery Road. The company plans to fill about 170,000 square feet of office space at the site.

Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based CDK Global will employ people in client services and other back-office functions. The company plans to open the center in mid-2016, but it is currently searching for people to fill roles at the new center.

Last week, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority awarded CDK Global with a 15-year tax credit worth more than $15 million. State officials said those incentives are intended to help create 1,000 jobs, which could generate $45 million in new annual payroll and retain $3.4 million in existing payroll.

CDK Global provides services to more than 100 countries around the world, with more than 27,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. The company received a 15-year, 75 percent tax credit in the deal, worth more than $15 million according to Stephanie Gostomski, a spokesperson for the tax credit authority.

Steve Anenen, president and chief executive officer at CDK Global, said Tuesday the facility is being located in the area to "attract top talent."

“We’ve been impressed by the diverse, well-educated workforce and overall jobs climate, which is what solidified our decision," Anenen said. "We’re looking forward to partnering with the city of Norwood and to providing an excellent place for people to advance their careers with CDK Global."

Last year, an investor group led by Blue Ash-based Viking Partners bought the Central Parke development in Norwood for $34 million. The purchase included 11 office, retail and other buildings totaling 811,000 square feet of space. Viking Partners officials declined comment Tuesday when asked about the company's plans.

Central Parke sits at the former site of a General Motors automobile production plant that closed in 1987. Belvedere Corp. led the redevelopment of the site to become the Central Parke business park.

CDK Global is largely filling space that Cincinnati Bell is vacating as part of Bell's relocation to Downtown Cincinnati.

Scott Abernethy, senior vice president at Cushman & Wakefield's Downtown Cincinnati office, said CDK Global was one of several companies that scouted office space in the Central Parke development. He said Norwood's central location was attractive to officials who visited the region.

"It's a great opportunity for Central Parke to backfill what (Cincinnati) Bell's leaving," he said. "The building is allowing them to use a small amount of temporary space to set up and interview people for those jobs.

"I think if you look at the (Interstate) 71 corridor and that part of Norwood, look at the Rookwood Exchange building. That building is coming out of the ground. Kenwood Collection is (nearly) filled. Bell is still leasing space and even before they're out completely, we sign another tenant. The Midtown area is a strong, strong office market."

CDK Global provides services in more than 100 countries and serves more than 27,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. The company automates and integrates workflow processes from pre-sale targeted advertising and marketing campaigns to the sale, financing, insurance, parts supply, repair and maintenance of vehicles.

The company is hiring people through its website at http://www.cdkjobs.com.