U.S. Bank calls on Idaho – Regional center to employ up to 500 at Mill River facility

The stiff breeze blowing off the Spokane River blew in nothing but good news Tuesday — word of 500 new jobs for North Idaho over the next five years.

After negotiating with some 3,000 communities, U.S. Bank announced plans to build a new service and call center at Mill River, the riverfront development under way near Huetter.

By RICK THOMAS
Staff writer

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2004/05/05/news/news01.txt

"This is exciting," said Rick Barton, region president of U.S. Bank in North Idaho/Palouse. "This is going to be a tremendous benefit to us, a great partnership between the call center and the five local branches here."

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The two-story, 60,000-square-foot center, on 10 acres only a few yards from the river, will support U.S. Bank’s growing retail payment solutions division, which includes debit, small business and consumer credit card accounts.

Construction on the $15 million-plus project is slated to start this summer with an anticipated completion date of early 2005.

"Today’s announcement by U.S. Bank is the culmination of a coordinated effort which included officials from the city of Coeur d’Alene, the state of Idaho, business leaders in the private sector and the board and staff of Jobs Plus," said Steve Griffitts, president of Jobs Plus.

Barton said it all came together as a result of a partnership between the bank, the developers and leaders at all levels of government.

"This is a great example of how teamwork can make something positive happen for both U.S. Bank and the Coeur d’Alene community," said Barton. "The pro-business environment in Coeur d’Alene combined with a skilled and available labor force, access to work force training and higher education, and U.S. Bank’s existing presence in the market, were key factors in our decision to build the call center here."

U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank. U.S. Bancorp, with assets of $192 billion, is the seventh-largest financial services holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,275 banking offices and 4,472 ATMs in 24 states.

The Coeur d’Alene call center will be U.S. Bank’s second. Another in Fargo, N.D., employs 1,200.

Barton said there was no thought of locating the new center out of the country.

"Because of the focus on customer service, we didn’t want to risk any language barriers," he said.

The announcement drew applause from the highest levels of state government.

"We are very excited that U.S. Bank is growing in Coeur d’Alene," said Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. "I want to be the first to welcome these new jobs to our state and say that we are proud that U.S. Bank identified Idaho as the best place in the country to establish their new facility."

Roger Madsen, the director of the Commerce and Labor Department, added, "The state of Idaho is focused on investing in its greatest resource, its people. Idaho’s Work Force Development Training Fund is set up to ensure that companies and employees are rewarded for expansion and advancement."

The Mill River development lies between Seltice Way and the Spokane River. Tom Johnson and Cliff Mort, owners of the development, worked closely with the Lake City Development Corporation, led by Tony Berns.

Berns commended Griffitts for working doggedly for months to bring the center to North Idaho.

Griffitts estimated the center will create a $30 million economic benefit to the community, and nearly $300,000 per year in additional funds for the LCDC.

Barton couldn’t say what wages would begin at, only that they would be "fair and competitive with excellent benefits."

He said hiring could begin around the end of this year or early 2005.

"That will come into clear focus as we get close to opening," said Barton.