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Collectcorp collection company moves to Middleburg Heights
Posted by Michelle McCafferty May 31, 2009 09:34AM
MIDDLEBURG HTS. -- Collectcorp, a global accounts receivable collections company, will open a call center in Middleburg Heights this July.
The company expects to hire 60 people immediately, with employee count increasing to around 130 by the end of 2010, said Middleburg Heights Director of Economic Development Charles Bichara.
Collectcorp plans on having a career fair at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Middleburg Heights this June. It will be announced on the Middleburg Heights Web site and advertised in the News Sun, said Bichara.
In the meantime, residents interested in employment can submit letters or resumes to the Middleburg Heights Department of Economic Development where they will be forwarded to Collectcorp, he said.
Due to the number of jobs the company is bringing to the region, the state awarded Collectcorp a Job Creation Tax Credit.
Under the State Job Creation Tax Credit Program, Middleburg Heights is required to provide financial support for the project, said Bichara. So the city awarded Collectcorp a Job Creation Grant that matches the term of the tax credit agreement, which is five years.
"The grant is awarded through the city's general fund, and does not in any way impact funding to the Berea Schools," said Bichara. "This program was started in 2006 as an economic development tool which would allow Middleburg Heights to attract new companies and participate in the state tax credit program without adversely impacting school funding."
City grants are typically between 25 to 50 percent of the state tax credit's total value, he said. And the maximum value of Collectcorp's city grant is $17,000 annually for the five-year term.
"The city expects to collect much more than that amount annually from the company in income taxes," added Bichara.
To bring Collectcorp to the area, Middleburg Heights and the State of Ohio worked with Team Northeast Ohio, an organization that attracts businesses to the region.
"Serious conversations" with the company began last month, he said.
Collectcorp ultimately chose to open the call center in Middleburg Heights because of the city's quality workforce, coupled with proximity to multiple highways and an international airport, according to a statement released by Team Northeast Ohio.
"Northeast (Ohio) has one of the nation's best fiber optic networks," CEO of Team Northeast Ohio Tom Waltermire said in the statement. "This, coupled with our technical capabilities, and our talented and dedicated workforce, makes our region attractive for call centers."
Founded in 1978, Collectcorp is headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., and operates call centers in Canada, Minnesota and Australia. The company focuses on large financial institutions and government bodies across North America for its client base.
The company has not finalized a location for the Middleburg Heights call center, but is currently negotiating a lease for 8,000 square feet of office space in the Plaza South Office Complex at 7251 Engle Road.
With all staff in place, minimum annual payroll is expected to be $3.1 million.
"Middleburg Heights is proud to have been able to work with the Ohio Department of Development and Team NEO to attract Collectcorp to Middleburg Heights and bring a significant number of new jobs not only to Middleburg Heights but also to northeast Ohio and the state of Ohio," said Middleburg Heights Mayor Gary Starr.
"We were successful in our efforts to demonstrate that Middleburg Heights is willing to make it easy for businesses to do business in our community."
Residents interested in employment with Collectcorp can send resumes to the following address and they will be forwarded to the company:
Charles Bichara
Director of Economic Development
City of Middleburg Heights
15700 Bagley Road
Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
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