City OKs funding agreement for company’s renovation, job creation
A Centerville company will revamp and modernize its facility with some help from a Montgomery County funding opportunity.
Ardent Technologies’ renovation of its offices at 6234 Far Hills Ave., which were constructed in 1978, includes reconstruction of the lower level to create a more modern and open space, as well as a removal and reinstallation of load-bearing walls.
Ardent said the $250,000 project will allow it to retain its workforce of 50 employees and add 20 new jobs
The retained jobs have an average salary of $68,000, generating $3.4 million in annual payroll. The new positions have an average salary of $50,000, which would add another $1 million in annual payroll.
Founded in 2000, Ardent Technologies provides information technology support and cybersecurity services, administrative support, financial management and staff augmentation to commercial businesses, defense firms, federal, state and local governments and higher education institutions.
“The project will help a fast-growing company in a priority sector for the city,” said Centerville Development Director Michael Norton-Smith. “Additionally, this ED/GE grant will help them reinvest and modernize an existing office building in Centerville, retaining 50 jobs and adding 20 new positions.”
Completing the project also will allow the company to reinvest and modernize an older office building and allow it to remain in Centerville.
Since moving into the Centerville location in 2012, Ardent has tripled in size, both from a revenue and employee perspective, with average annual growth of about 12%, according to Mick Feldmeyer, Ardent Technologies’ chief operating officer.
“The renovation has allowed us to optimize the square footage with a modern office design,” Feldmeyer told this news outlet Thursday. “The open floorplan provides the flexibility to accommodate additional employees as the company continues to grow.”
Construction, which started last fall, will be completed later this month, he said.
Late last year, the city submitted a grant application on behalf of the company to Montgomery County for Economic Development/Government Equity or ED/GE program funds of $20,000 or 8% of total project cost, whichever is less. The application submitted by the company was selected to receive funding.
The building is also eligible for a 12-year, 100% tax abatement on the increased value of the property.
Besides the grant agreement with the county, Centerville City Council is required to approve a development agreement with Ardent Technologies at a future meeting.
The project’s other sources of funding are equity/private funding ($180,000) and a Centerville property investment reimbursement (PIR) grant ($50,000).