Service center to employ 300

- Western Wireless Corp. expects to invest $7 million to $10 million in the community this year

Manhattan -- Western Wireless Corp., which also operates under Cellular One, announced Thursday the Little Apple will be home to its newest service center, bringing about 300 jobs to the community during three years.

The Bellevue, Wash.-based wireless communications company will hire employees to handle calls about coverage, billing, technical questions and general inquiries from customers across the United States. The average annual wage for positions at similar facilities is $28,000 plus benefits, according to Ann Harts, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce economic development vice president. Western Wireless spokeswoman Deb Depping said the company plans to invest between $7 million and $10 million in the community this year with the purchase of land and with construction and other start-up costs. Construction of the new building will begin in March, with a fall completion date. "Manhattan was selected after an intensive process," Depping said. "One of the prime criteria was to locate in a city in which we already do business as Cellular One." Depping added that the excellent reception by the Manhattan chamber and state and local economic incentives were other important factors in the company's decision. "The city of Manhattan promised Western Wireless $250,000," Harts said. "The company is going to be bringing in over$28 million in capital investment. When you look at the leveraging and what we gain, it speaks volumes." Matt Brischs, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing, called the effort a good example of state and local partnerships. The company is eligible for state-funded work force training funds and community development block grants. Western Wireless will be creating a job information telephone line in a few weeks, Depping said.

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