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No word yet on when Kalispell call center plans to open
Five months after it agreed to locate a new call center in Kalispell, there’s still no word on when TeleTech Inc. will actually open its doors or start hiring.
Julie Lucas, the public relations director for the Colorado-based firm, said TeleTech remains committed to Kalispell and plans to open the Gateway West Mall facility as soon as it finds the right client or clients.
By William L. Spence
The Daily Inter Lake
"We have several meaningful opportunities that we’re working on, but it’s difficult to predict when they’ll sign on the bottom line," she said in a voicemail message.
The pace at which the company is ramping up here is a distinct change from Stream International, the previous occupant of the city-owned space that TeleTech is now leasing.
Stream started hiring people in February 2000 — a month before it even signed the lease agreement. The facility began its first live calls in April, and by the end of 2000 almost 700 people were employed there.
TeleTech signed its lease in March of this year, eight months after Stream unexpectedly closed.
In exchange for a 100 percent lease rebate, the company agreed to create 125 jobs in the first year of operation, including 100 full-time positions, with a minimum wage rate of $8 per hour plus a 20 percent benefits package. Within three years, employment is required to climb to 425, including 340 full-time positions.
Although it’s been taking applications for months, TeleTech has yet to hire anyone or to find a client.
"I anticipated that they would start hiring people in March or April," Mayor Pam Kennedy said.
Kennedy and other city officials had a teleconference with the company last week. She described the conversation as friendly, but there were no details regarding when the call center might actually open.
"They said they’re still committed to Kalispell, and that they’re trying to secure contracts," Kennedy said.
She also noted that the company is making its lease payments on time, so the city isn’t suffering any financial setback. The lease rebate won’t be provided unless TeleTech meets its employment target.
Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at [email protected]
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