Cali tech firm AutoAlert to create 300 Kansas City jobs

AutoAlert, an Irvine, Calif. Based tech firm, announced Friday that it’s planning to relocate its headquarters to Kansas City.

The firm — which will receive a Missouri Works grant of as much as $9.2 million if it meets its job creation projection — offers automotive software communications using data mining and trade-cycle management tools. With plans to create 300 area jobs in coming years, AutoAlert CEO Mike Dullea said the firm chose Kansas City thanks to its growing downtown area, access to tech talent, and convenient transportation options.

“The AutoAlert team loves the downtown location and the opportunity it provides,” Dullea said in a release. “This area is rich with innovation and AutoAlert is excited to be added to the mix. Our company is raising the bar to bring high paying tech jobs right to the heart of Kansas City and the Silicon Prairie.”

AutoAlert plans to announce a specific office location in coming weeks and be operational in the spring of 2017, according to the release. The firm will maintain offices in Irvine, Calif., Boston, Ma., and Manchester U.K. and plan to add an additional 200 positions to its workforce in coming months.

Kansas City Mayor Sly James praised the news.

“AutoAlert’s announcement is great news for Kansas City and reflects our city’s commitment to being a hub for cutting-edge, industry-leading businesses,” James said in a release. “We look forward to AutoAlert’s continued success and I am thrilled to have them join our community.”