Leahy And Jeffords Announce $3 million Grant For Northeast Kingdom Call Center In Newport

Wednesday, May 27, 1998

Vermont’s U.S. Senators, Jim Jeffords and Patrick Leahy, Wednesday announced approval of a major $3,132,517 grant to establish a remote-call center in Newport that will serve Vermont’s catalog retailers by employing former welfare recipients as telemarketers.

The Northeast Kingdom Call Center Project would employ up to 200 workers who formerly depended on welfare aid.

The Northern Community Investment Corporation (NCIC), based in St. Johnsbury, submitted the application, under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Welfare-To-Work program. Other partners include the Vermont Department of Social Welfare, the Vermont Department of Employment and Training, the Adult Services Division of the North Country Union High School District, and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Inc. Leahy and Jeffords both appealed to Labor Secretary Alexis Herman on behalf of the grant application. Jeffords chairs the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

The grant is for development of an advanced technology center in Newport where people leaving welfare will work as telemarketers for Vermont-based catalogue companies. Eventually the Newport site could include warehouse space and serve as a distribution center for these products. Several firms -- including Vermont Country Store, Resolution Inc., and Gardener’s Supply -- have been prime movers behind the project and have expressed interested in using such a center. In addition to providing jobs, the center will offer transportation, child care and training to employees, with the help of area non-profit service providers. The center’s employees will be trained to serve as incoming and outgoing telemarketing representatives, making and receiving calls for orders, product information, warranty processing and other services.

"This is a smart way to combine two of our economic strengths -- technology, and mail order firms marketing Vermont products -- with an eager and available workforce," said Leahy. "The call center will be an economic engine for Newport and for Vermont’s mail-order retailers. The jobs and the income will be a real boost for the Northeast Kingdom."

"The Northeast Kingdom Call Center will put people to work in good-paying jobs throughout the region," said Jeffords. "This grant will move individuals from government assistance to directory assistance for Vermont products. Hats off to all the people in Vermont who made this happen."

CONTACT:

David Carle (Leahy), 202-224-3693
Erik Smulson (Jeffords), 202-224-5141

ADDITIONAL LOCAL CONTACTS:

Paul Denton, executive director, Northern Community Investment Corporation, 802-748-5101
Ken Magoon, Newport City Manager, 802-334-5136