RALEIGH – Grover Gaming, a software and gaming development company in Greenville, is going to add 200 jobs and invest $12.5 million in its operations over the next five years.

That’s more than double its current workforce of just under 200, some 126 of which work in North Carolina.

The fast-growing firm – ranked No. 194 on the Inc 5000 fastest growing privately held company list in 2020, up from No. 2,660 in 2019 – announced the expansion Tuesday. it is receiving support from the state of North Carolina as well as local partners, including a $200,000 grant from the City of Greenville.

State incentives will top $3 million in tax rebates if job targets are met.

Other backers included the Greenville – Eastern North Carolina (ENC) Alliance, Greenville Utilities Commission, and Pitt County.

Pitt County’s economic development performance-based grant could total $500,000 over five years.

“Pitt County has supported Grover Gaming’s growth over the years, and is very pleased to see yet another expansion from them.  We continue to support their latest expansion, and we are proud Grover Gaming selected Pitt County, as we know there was competition from other states for their new facility,” said Pitt County Board of Commissioners Chair Ann Floyd-Huggins.

Neew jobs will pay an average wage of just over $50,000.

The company launched in 2013.

Other states sought the project, including Ohio, Georgia and Nevada.

“Eastern North Carolina has always been our home, so we are excited to further invest and contribute to its future prosperity and development,” said Garrett Blackwelder, he company’s founder and CEO, in a statement.

The company had announced a 100-job expansion earlier this year.

“This homegrown North Carolina software enterprise is among the fastest-growing companies in the country, and eastern North Carolina will continue to be host to its corporate headquarters,” Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland said. “Grover Gaming’s expansion highlights our well-equipped workforce, livable communities and modern business amenities that appeal to innovation-minded companies.”

“Through the hard work of our amazing team, we are in a position to create hundreds of new jobs,” Blackwelder added in the announcement. “Our goal is to recruit talented and passionate professionals to Greenville and the surrounding areas, as well as retain our
homegrown and local talent.”