-
Login
-
Digital Edition
-
Print Edition
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Call center downtown could employ up to 500
TweetYOUNGSTOWN — A Los Angeles-based call center company says it will set up business in the city-owned former Phar-Mor Building downtown and eventually employ about 500.
Mayor Jay Williams said VXI Global Solutions is expected to hire 150 people by Oct. 1, when the center is scheduled to open at 20 Federal Place, and another 50 a month after that, up to about 500.
If business is really good, VXI has an option on a second floor of the building and could nearly double that number of employees in the future, said Williams, who announced the company’s coming at a news conference Wednesday.
“This is a home run for Youngstown,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th. “This is a perfect example of stimulus recovery funds that couldn’t be better spent.”
VXI says it will spend $4 million to retrofit the 31,000 square feet of the structure formerly occupied by Infocision Management Corp., another call center operation that relocated to its Boardman and Austintown facilities early this year.
VXI has signed a five-year lease with a five-year renewal option, Williams said.
Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com
Comments
500? I'll believe it when I see it. In the meantime, I'm sure the city will continue to chase those V&M and Exal rainbows...
Nothing like adding a thriving telemarketing business to your city. There is an industry on the rise.
Timmy has been in momma Pelosi's medicine cabinet again.
DocGonzo - Its not telemarketing. Its 'inbound' technical support. There is a big difference. Inbound pays higher, and requires skills specific to the product being serviced. Therefore there is higher stability, lower employee turnover, and better agreements in place for leaseholders. This isnt somebody calling you at dinner to see if you need new windows, or in Oldstown case, a new attitude.
There is a global recession going on. If you can find another city in America that announced 500 person job creation today (even 200) let me know.
Inbound technical support may pay more but it only requires the ability to read the computer screen and trouble shoot based on the list presented.
Secondly, there were 150 expected to be filled, not 500. Write back when they hire that 150, or even open their doors. Many things can occur between now and October.
I do not want to research where other jobs were create today throughout the United States. I can only imagine there were several places where 150 jobs were expected to be implemented by October.
The bottom line is that Youngstwon thinks they are "hitting home runs" by bringing in a technical support company that probably pays less than 30k per employee and is not a growing industry. It is a cycle of regression that keeps on spinning.
People will immediately think I am pessimistic and negative, but those are the people who have it easy because ignorance truly is bliss.
A casino downtown could bring higher paying jobs....But wait it may bring more crime to a city that sees 3 shootings a day lol...It may bring the criminals to the casino instead of killing one another...
Doc - I dont want to be a city of call centers, much like I dont want to be a city of all steel mills. Cities thrive long run when they diversify. You have a tech service call center that is a stone's throw from YSU. I would imagine that some full time YSU students will be able to afford school b/c they have this job. And there are small wins taking place.
The YBI is adding a San Fran based R&D group. Many jobs? No..maybe a dozen to 20 at most. High paying? Yep. Republic Specialty Metals is building a plant in North Jackson. High paying and stable? Yes. GM announced yesterday that Buick will get a compact car. I bet you that it will be made in Lordstown. That plant can make 5 cars. Considering GM is down to 9 plants in North America, they will utilize it.
When the avg homeprice in the valley is under $80k, a $30k job in a tough economy means people can exist, focus on the future, and provide. It could mean a spouse can find work thus increasing a family's ability to save for their kids education. I'll take 100, 200, 500 jobs in a piece of real estate that have none now.
I too want to see economic growth. You bring up good points on the job and industry fronts. I was not aware of the businesses opening up. Of course jobs for students is a must, but will they stay in the area afterwards?
You are right about 30k being good money in Youngstown as well, which means the call center will likely pay 20-25k. But jobs are jobs in this economy.
I just feel a geographic location such as Youngstown should be a business hotbed. The leadership there has been asleep for decades though and it is sad to see that area struggle for mediocrity.