325 New Tyler Jobs One Step Closer

TYLER — The City of Tyler announces that Centene Corporation, a leading manager of health care services, has chosen Tyler as its first choice in Texas for the location of a multi-state regional claims processing facility in the new 140-acre Tyler Business and Technology Park. Officials say the move could create about 325 new jobs in Tyler. The St. Louis, MO-based Centene, the nation’s fourth-largest Medicaid manager, would be the first owner of a site within the Tyler Business and Technology Park, which was developed by the Tyler Economic Development Council (TEDC). TEDC has owned and managed 150 acres within the park since 1994. The park is located at the intersection of West Loop 323 and Robertson Road and is occupied by a variety of manufacturing, office, distribution, and retail businesses.

Centene is currently working with the TEDC, the City of Tyler and the State of Texas to define the business terms and begin due diligence for the project. Centene anticipates that it will take four to six months to satisfy the conditions leading to a final decision to move forward with land acquisition and construction. “We are excited at the prospect of having Centene Corporation as a new corporate citizen that brings quality jobs to Tyler,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “Centene has a reputation as an active and generous corporate citizen in the communities in which it has offices.”

Upon satisfaction of feasibility conditions, construction of the Centene building is expected to begin this summer with completion anticipated in the summer of 2013. “We are still early in this process, however we are very encouraged by the progress that has been made,” said Tom Ellis, chair of the TEDC. “The potential addition of 325 well-paying jobs in Tyler is something we can all celebrate.”