Indigo Ag to build North American headquarters in Downtown Memphis and bring 700 new jobs

 Indigo is establishing its headquarters for North American commercial operations in Memphis, state and local officials announced Wednesday. 

The agricultural technology company is investing $6.6 million and will create more than 700 new jobs in Memphis over the next three years. The headquarters will take up 60,000 square feet of space in the Memphis Toyota center building in Downtown next to AutoZone Park.

"We chose to establish and grow Indigo's headquarters for North American commercial operations in Memphis because of the proximity to our customers and Indigo Research Partners, the pro-business climate, access to world class talent, and the collaborative relationship between state and city government leaders,” Indigo President and CEO David Perry said in a news release.

“We are committed to Memphis, a hub for North American agriculture, and we are excited to continue to grow in such an innovative and forward-focused city," Perry said.

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Mayor Jim Strickland hailed the announcement as a huge win for Memphis. Efforts are underway to persuade an airline to establish direct service between Memphis and Boston, Strickland said.

"It's the biggest new headquarters announcement in Memphis in my memory," Strickland said in an interview late Wednesday. 

Strickland, who routinely visits Memphis businesses, recalled going to Indigo's then-small Memphis operation last year. 

"You've got this ag tech business that's going to help farmers be more productive, be better on the environment. It's intriguing, it's high-growth -- I said that's the kind of company we need in Memphis," said Strickland. 

The Boston-based company focuses on sustaining farming and uses plant microbes and digital technologies to advance crop health productivity. Indigo first began its operations in Memphis in 2016, and since August 2018, the company has increased its employees in Tennessee from 60 to 175. 

"I'm extremely pleased to see Indigo create hundreds of corporate office jobs in Memphis with this expansion," Gov. Bill Haslam said. "Indigo is one of the fastest growing startups in the country, and the decision to make Memphis such a vital part of its future growth is a testament to to Tennessee's vibrant economy and skilled workforce."

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Indigo's headquarters in Memphis will include finance, human resources, legal, general and administrative staff, sales, logistics, information technology, research & development, marketing and operations. Top executives will also be based in Memphis.

One of the fastest growing startups in the nation, Indigo was included on CNBC's 2019 Disruptor 50 List, a ranking of the world's most ambitious and innovative companies.

"Indigo is changing the game with its innovative, data driven approach to help produce food in a sustainable and responsible matter," said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. "Shelby County's economic history was built on agriculture, so it is great news to have the future of agriculture expanding here in Memphis."

In recent years, Memphis has had success with ServiceMaster, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and "more traditional companies that pay good wages," Strickland said.

"Now here is a high-tech growth business that pays good wages," Strickland said. "Here's a company that's got momentum in a city that's got momentum. It's a perfect marriage."

Reporter Jamie Munks contributed to this report.

Phillip Jackson can be reached at phillip.jackson@commercialappeal.com, 901/305-3964 or on Twitter: @Phillej_