Thirteen companies and organizations were honored Thursday by the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp. for moving to or expanding in Colorado Springs, with plans to hire more than 2,000 people during the next five years.

The 2,046 expected jobs pay an average annual salary of $39,345 and will generate an annual economic impact of $81.7 million, the EDC said. The incoming jobs more than offset 1,193 layoffs in the Springs so far this year. EDC’s goal is to attract employers that will create 2,400 jobs each year for those who are laid off or entering the job market.

“Things look even better in 2010,” EDC President Mike Kazmierski told about 200 business and civic leaders attending a luncheon Thursday at Cheyenne Mountain Resort honoring the 13 companies. “In this environment, the community has more than 20,000 people looking for job opportunities. We should remember that it is one job that makes a difference for those who are out of work, and we all know someone who needs a job right now.”

EDC also said an unnamed 14th employer will expand here and hire 500 but declined to identify the firm at its request, for competitive reasons.

The 13 employers include:

• Affiliated Computer Services Inc., which has hired 600 during the past four months to staff a new customer service center for an unidentified wireless carrier.

• Alliance Financial Partners, a residential and commercial real estate lender, which moved its headquarters last month from California  and plans to hire 37 during the next four years.

• Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, which raises awareness about the homeless, poor and needy and moved its headquarters in July from Kansas City, Mo.  It plans to employ six here during the next year.

• Billet Racing Products LLC, which designs, manufactures and distributes off-road and motorcycle parts, and moved its headquarters in September from Laguna Hills, Calif., and plans to hire 10 during the next year.

• CodeBaby Corp., a startup company that creates customized animated digital characters and plans to hire 500 during the next five years.

• Convergent Performance LLC, a consulting and training company specializing in aviation and other industries, which announced plans in October to move its headquarters from Tennessee and hire 30 during the next two years.

• FedEx Services Corp., which began work in June to expand its data center in northern Colorado Springs; the project is expected to be completed in late 2010 and expand the company’s local staff by 68 during the next two years.

• FirstSource Solutions Ltd., which announced plans in May to expand its customer service operation here and hire another 150 during the next two years. The company’s local center handles calls for Barclays PLC credit card operation.

• Hewlett-Packard Co., which will spend $260 million to build a new regional data center to serve its corporate and outside clients’ needs. The company will add 10 people here when the center is completed.

• Jabil Inc., which opened a design center in northern Colorado Springs in April for its computer-storage operations that will employ 15 within two years.

• NEK Advanced Securities Group Inc., which provides operations-related services to the federal government. NEK moved its headquarters in April from Albuquerque, N.M. and plans to hire 80 during the next three years.

• Ranch Hand Inc., which opened a warehouse, distribution and showroom here in February for heavy-duty after-market truck accessories, with plans to hire 10 during the next three years.

• Wild Pig Aerospace Inc., which manufactures small satellites and related systems and moved its headquarters in January from Virginia with plans to hire 30 during the next two years.

—Contact the writer at 636-0234

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