Hannigan Insurance Opens New Operations Center in Ann Arbor with Support from SPARK, MEDC

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With support from Ann Arbor SPARK, Hannigan Insurance is opening a customer retention and acquisition center in the Ann Arbor region. Hannigan Insurance, a technology company, national insurance brokerage, and Internet distribution platform for the insurance and financial services industries, will create 75 new jobs and relocate an additional 10 jobs to the region. Hannigan Insurance will invest up to $516,000 in this new office.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) is supporting the company's new Ann Arbor region location with a $400,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Ann Arbor SPARK worked with Hannigan Insurance throughout the process of applying for and securing those incentives.

"The key to success in our business and keeping up with our fast pace growth is leveraging our human capital, being located in the city of Ann Arbor helps us achieve our growth plans by providing a world class city to attract and retain the very best talent as we expand our online insurance brokerage model onto the national stage," said Brian Hannigan, CEO, Hannigan Insurance. "SPARK was instrumental in helping us with our decision process to continue to grow the company in Ann Arbor and create more high quality private sector jobs for the state of Michigan."

Ann Arbor SPARK has managed several aspects of Hannigan Insurance's expansion to the region.  Not only did Ann Arbor SPARK provide information on the region's software cluster, it conducted site tours as the company sought the perfect location for its new operation. Ann Arbor SPARK has also been instrumental in helping the company find quality candidates for positions it needs filled quickly at its new location.

"Ann Arbor SPARK worked to attract Hannigan Insurance because this is a business that is fast growth, energized and looking to invest in this region," said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. "It's always exciting when a business commits to creating jobs in the Ann Arbor region, but what's also exciting is that Hannigan Insurance is a national e-agency for the insurance industry. Its investment here will bring out of state insurance premium dollars to benefit our local workforce and economy."

Moving forward, Hannigan Insurance will utilize the Ann Arbor SPARK jobs portal, and Ann Arbor SPARK will execute a talent marketing package for the company that will be complete the local support required for the Business Development Program Grant Hannigan Insurance obtained from MEDC. 

About Ann Arbor SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK