Up to 1,000 new jobs will be heading to Las Vegas thanks to a tentative agreement reached between TELUS and the city of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency.

TELUS will operate a new Las Vegas-based call center, which will enable the company to add Spanish-language support to its multicity call center operations and business process outsourcing services.

"The creation of these types of jobs is always welcome in any community, but they are particularly relevant in light of the current worldwide economic situation," noted Oscar B. Goodman, city of Las Vegas mayor and chairman of the Redevelopment Agency.

The company's new operation will be located at 2251 S. Decatur Blvd. in Las Vegas in a 104,000-square-foot building that formerly housed call center operations for Montgomery Ward and, later, a Healthcare America call center. TELUS signed a 51-month, $2.9 million lease for office space at this location. The company began renovations in December 2008 and is set to begin operations in March of 2009.

TELUS' coming to Las Vegas is the result of a partnership between the Nevada Development Authority and the city of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency. "This win would not have been possible without this kind of cooperation," said Somer Hollingsworth, president and CEO of the Nevada Development Authority.

The Nevada center will complement TELUS' recent establishment of new call center capabilities with 2,200 employees at sites in three Central American countries. Before these expansions, all of TELUS International's operations were primarily in Canada, the Philippines and Singapore.

TELUS International President Jeff Puritt cited a number of factors that convinced company executives to select Las Vegas as the location for its newest call center operation. "Not only does the community have a wealth of skilled individuals fluent in both Spanish and English, but it is one of the United States' fastest-growing communities with a strong labor force and business-friendly environment," Puritt said.

Puritt also emphasized the crucial role the city's Redevelopment Agency played in assisting them with making their decision. "Their support was outstanding. The information they provided and professional approach were critical factors in our ultimate selection of a location," Puritt said.

The city of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency will provide an incentive of $300,000 annually for five years to TELUS, to be used for equipment and tenant improvements to the building. Since TELUS leased its Las Vegas building for 51 months, continuation of all five years of this incentive is contingent upon TELUS International extending its lease or buying the building. The incentive agreement will be considered by the Redevelopment Agency at an upcoming meeting.

TELUS plans to hire 500 local employees by the end of 2009, opening with 100 call center agents in March. Hiring will begin this week. Ultimately, the company's Las Vegas employment rolls could reach more than 1,000.  Interested applicants can contact TELUS International at ushr@telus.com.

The Redevelopment Agency promotes and encourages the redevelopment of the downtown Las Vegas urban core and surrounding older commercial districts. Agency staff works with developers, property owners and community associations to accomplish beneficial revitalization efforts. It was founded in 1986.

From http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9795943&nav=menu107_9