Audit Services Incorporated, an insurance claim review firm, is expanding its Conyers headquarters and will add up to 50 jobs.

"We're excited about the expansion," said ASI President and CEO John Hall. "We looked at other locations, but we'd rather stay close to home. All the owners and executives live in the Conyers area. We'd rather create jobs in our own back yard."

Founded in Conyers in 1998, ASI handles claims for major insurers in all U.S. states and territories and also in Canada. ASI employs about 200 people, with about 125 of them in Conyers. It also has an Alpharetta office.

ASI will break ground Friday on a new, 5,200-square-foot building at its 2123 Eastview Parkway headquarters. The company will not hire 50 new employees right away, instead expanding over time. But it does have a new contract that requires new hires over the next 12 to 18 months, Hall said.

That new contract made quick expansion a priority for ASI. Hall praised the City of Conyers for being helpful in speeding up the permitting process for the new building.

"It's a positive for the community," said Marty Jones, executive director of the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council, who worked with ASI on the benefits of expanding locally.

Retaining and expanding local small businesses is one of Jones's priorities. He said the ASI decision is part of a positive momentum of recent local expansions, including the manufacturer Hillphoenix.

Jones said he is in discussions with some other local companies considering whether they should expand locally or elsewhere. He couldn't name names, but said that things are looking good for local expansions.

"Definitely, before the second quarter is done, we should have more positive news," he said.