TMCnet LOGIN
Webinars
Hosted Contact Center Featured Article
Hosted Contact Center Expands in Holland, Michigan
The opening of any business on U.S. soil is good for the economy. When that opening is a call or contact center, it means that jobs won’t be sent overseas and more citizens can enjoy employment security, while the local economy receives a much needed boost.
The opening of a hosted contact center provider is even better news as the center is employing certain technologies that will reduce its impact on the environment and take advantage of other market opportunities.
A recent Holland Sentinel report focused on the opening of the NOVO 1 Contact Center in southeast Holland, Michigan. An official opening date has been set for early September. Since mid-July, the company has taken advantage of hosted contact center technology to allow 15 people to field calls.
NOVO 1 acts as a hosted contact center for industries such as health care, insurance, utilities, retail and finance. A Texas-based firm, NOVO 1 projects it will create 125 jobs within its first year in Holland, while the facility has the capacity for 300.
According to the company’s marketing materials, Holland offers a “dynamic workforce and a great business location.” A survey of the area ranked it as second in the nation in its sense of well-being. The company uses this information in promoting the happiness of the people and the friendliness that creates over the phone for the hosted contact center client.
The economic impact on the area is sure to be felt as the contact center received a $1.4 million equipment investment and renovations funded in part by a $1 million Community Development Block Grant. A 100 percent tax break was also allowed on these improvements, which is projected to save NOVO 1 $115,800 over nine years.
Holland Assistant City Manager Greg Robinson appears to be excited about the implementation of a hosted contact center facility. He believes that the economy and the number of individuals unemployed in the city of Holland make this the perfect time for this deployment. The ability to provide jobs is key or these individuals and families who are seeking to support themselves.
This project to offer hosted contact center services throughout the country – with its basis in Holland – is the result of a public-private partnership with Glencoe Capital’s Michigan Opportunities Fund. This initiative leverages equity capital for acquisitions and growth investments for businesses seeking to expand in Michigan. The fund purchased NOVO 1 in 2009.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
