GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A longtime Grand Rapids area tech firm will grow dramatically in the coming years.

ITS Partners plans to more than double its staff and relocate to a new $2.5 million headquarters, according to an announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 29, by The Right Place Inc.

ITS is seeing a jump in demand for its consulting services as clients face more complex IT security threats.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is supporting the expansion with a $476,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

The 30-year-old tech firm hasn't yet made a final decision on the location of the new Kent County workspace that needs to be around 12,000 square feet. Currently, the firm's 56 employees work out of offices in Cascade Township at 4079 Park E. Court, SE.

ITS plans to hire 68 new employees for a mix of administration, tech and professional jobs. Annual pay will range from $45,000 to $150,000, depending on the position, according to documents filed with the state.

"Finding and attracting top tech talent requires highly functional workspaces that support collaboration and productivity," said Jeremy Frost, chief financial officer, ITS Partners, in a statement.

Frost credited the Grand Rapids-based economic development group, The Right Place, for assisting the firm in qualifying for state grant money for job training.