State tax credits mean 140 new Springfield jobs

A one-year-old telemarketing company is adding 140 jobs and expanding its offices, with the help of state Enhanced Enterprise Zone tax credits.

Gold Mountain Communications LLC has been approved for $376,000 in EEZ credits during a five-year period. The company is ramping up operations through the end of the year to the tune of a $960,000 investment in new workers and a 7,500-square-foot lease with Davis Properties at 1701 W. Sunshine St., Ste. K, in Elfindale Center. The company will employ between 180 and 200 by the end of 2010, according to company President Hank Seevers.

Seevers started Gold Mountain Communications in spring 2009 after his previous employer, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, closed up shop in Springfield. He was in charge of the Springfield office as well as operations in Tennessee.

"Through my contacts in the industry, I knew there was interest there (for companies in) outsourcing both inbound and outbound telemarketing work," Seevers said.

His company started with one client and an office in the downtown Wilhoit Plaza, but when a second client expressed interest in his company's services, he said he knew he would need more space.

"We market promotional mini-vacation offers for them for various sites in the country," Seevers said, declining to name his clients. "We sell these vacation packages at a deeply discounted rate, and during their stay, (customers) take a sales tour of the properties and what they have to offer."

Seevers' company is certainly not alone in the local telemarketing arena, with other companies such as T-Mobile, Chase and TeleTech operating call centers in the area. Seevers said he's not surprised.

"I've had good luck with the work force in this area," he said. "Overall, they have a good skill set and a good work ethic."

Gold Mountain Communications is taking applications; Seevers said those interested should visit the company's Elfindale office in person.[[In-content Ad]]