Area Development
N.E.W. Customer Service Companies Inc., a provider of extended service and buyer protection plans for consumer products, will invest $3 million to open a call center in Altoona, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania governor's office. More than 480 new jobs are expected as part of the project; the Altoona Mirror reports that at least 430 of the positions will be customer service and 50 management and operations jobs. N.E.W. will renovate an existing facility and plans to open in late spring. The Virginia-headquartered company had previously established a work-at-home training center in Altoona. "The overwhelming support from the business community and development professionals put Altoona and Blair County at the top of our list for establishing our work-at-home, now brick-and-mortar call center in Altoona," says Ray Zukowski, N.E.W.'s senior vice president. "The success of the work-at-home program gave us a glimpse of the talented work force Altoona has to offer." The company will receive a $1.2 million loan from the state, along with grants and tax credits contingent on job creation.