Eleven Fifty Says State Support Will Bring ‘100x Return’

As Eleven Fifty Academy looks to expand statewide, founder Scott Jones is looking to state legislators for support. He says Next Level Jobs legislation two years ago allowed the coding academy to access about $1.5 million to grow its programs, which he says will result in $150 million in Hoosier income over 10 years. Jones is now looking for up to $20 million, which he says could lead to $1.5 billion in Hoosier income over a decade.

During an interview on Inside INdiana Business With Gerry Dick, Jones said he believes any lawmaker or governor would want to sign off on a "100x return on our taxpayer money."

Eleven Fifty launched in Jones’ home before moving to Launch Fishers. The nonprofit is targeting communities including Fort Wayne, Gary, Terre Haute, Valparaiso and Evansville for potential expansion. Jones says the academy boasts a 93 percent graduation rate, with 81 percent finding jobs within the first two months.

Late last year, the U.S. Department of Labor recognized Eleven Fifty as a registered software development apprenticeship program, making it the first in Indiana to earn that designation.

Scott Jones is chairman of Grow INdiana Media Ventures, the parent company of Inside INdiana Business.