Consulting firm sees Schenectady downtown as 'great location'

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bethany Bump

A global consulting firm that launched overseas earlier this year will open its first location in Schenectady, where it plans to establish a new business center designed to connect Capital Region businesses to its global network.

JJT Empire signed a lease with Galesi Group to occupy the entire top floor of 411 State St., a three-story building on the Proctors block currently occupied by Paul Mitchell The School on the first floor and vacant office space on the second floor.

“Downtown Schenectady is a great location,” said JJT Empire Principal Jessica Close. “We appreciate the assistance we have received from Metroplex, the Center for Economic Growth and the Galesi Group as we searched for the right office space in the Capital Region.”

JJT Empire helps companies expand and establish themselves in local, national and international markets by connecting them with potential investors, local businesses, public organizations and new business opportunities.

Close said she wanted a U.S. office in the Capital Region and chose Schenectady after looking at several different spaces.

About two weeks ago, the firm announced a strategic partnership with Migrate, a firm based in Jordan that helps businesses expand their markets and establish themselves in the Middle East and North Africa.

As sister companies, JJT Empire can provide its customers with Migrate’s outsourcing services — its staffing, accounting, IT support, legal counsel, marketing and research.

“We thought we could do what they have been doing so successfully in Jordan here in the U.S.,” said Close.

JJT Empire has three employees to start and hopes to help local companies looking to expand and establish themselves in new international markets.

The Schenectady center will give growing companies access to services such as shared office space for reception and administrative services. It will also provide access to Migrate’s global network for business referral opportunities, collaboration on large-scale projects and investment partners.