ANDERSON — Empty cubicles and unmanned computers might seem like a bad omen. But for Affiliated Computer Services, they are a sign of optimism.
On Wednesday, local officials joined Affiliated representatives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the company’s Anderson call center. Given the fact that the office has been humming along for more than six months, the event was a celebration of Affiliated’s growth and promising future.
“Last September, when we first opened our customer care center, we made a very large commitment to the city of Anderson,” said Greg Dodge, vice president of human relations for Affiliated. “Today, we’re here to celebrate that we’re way ahead of schedule on that commitment.”
Dodge reiterated a pledge Affiliated made earlier this month, that the company would employ 500 workers by the end of 2008, not the end of 2010 as originally planned. The call center already employs 348 workers.
Rows upon rows of work stations await use, with cubicles bare and monitors dark. Along with IBM, Affiliated will assist in the privatization of Indiana’s welfare system, creating jobs that pay an average of $10 an hour.
Officials, members of the media and other visitors were given a tour of the call center, including space recently reserved for a new Affiliate client, Verizon Wireless. Terry Nichols, general manager of the Verizon division, said his staff had been in place for just a week.
“We’re in major construction mode,” Nichols said. “We built quickly, but we built it rather well. We want our employees to fit in well and to get the big picture of our business culture.”
Nichols said the Verizon division was working six days a week and would soon increase to seven. It currently employs 280 workers, and that number is expected to increase to 500. The government solutions division of Affiliated employs 68 and expects to increase that number to 120.
Tom Blodgett, group president of Affiliated’s business processing solutions, called growth one of company’s mottos.
“Anderson is quite unique in that we have great partnerships and one of our partners is Verizon,” Blodgett said. “We have a government that’s willing to work with us. Another thing that is quite unique is that we have a university across the street.”
The nearby Flagship Education Center houses offices of Anderson University, Purdue University, Indiana Business College and Ivy Tech Community College. Blodgett presented a $2,500 check to the Purdue Research Facility in a show of thanks for its support during Affiliated’s early startup phase.
“We’re here for students, but we’re also here to work with business and industry,” said Jody Pierce, assistant director of the Purdue College of Technology.
Blodgett said the company expected to create 3,000 more jobs this year, a comment that drew the interest of Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon, who was present Wednesday.
“You mentioned 3,000 more jobs,” he said, turning to steal a glance at Blodgett. “We’ve got lots of empty buildings.
“We’ve seen already that ACS has met what you’ve promised. That’s the kind of business we need in our fair city.”
Home News (ADS ONLY)
Related Photos
-
John P. Cleary
-
John P. Cleary
Discussion
May 21, 2008
8:27 p.m.: Affiliated celebrates ongoing growth
- Home News (ADS ONLY)
-
-
Photo gallery: AU vs Mount Saint Joseph Baseball
Photos from the baseball double header and senior night for Anderson University and Mount Saint Joseph on 5/7/10.
-
Comedian Harland Williams coming to Paramount
LOS ANGELES — Canadian Harland Williams was enjoying winter in Southern California. “It’s beautiful out,” said Williams, 47, familiar from roles in films like “Dumb & Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary.” “A bit cold, but is 65 cold? I’ll take this cold any day, thank you.” Williams, whose Indiana performances have been exclusive to Crackers in Broad Ripple, will take the stage at the Paramount on Friday, April 2.
-
Nancy Wood back in Anderson, with ASO
ANDERSON — Nancy Wood stared into the glass vase, full of clear water, with the bare roots of a plant dangling down into it.
-
Auction deal for buyers, not for owners
ANDERSON — An auction held Saturday at a former, popular cabinet manufacturer resulted in deals for local woodwork hobbyists and businesses, but earned less than the new owners hoped for.
-
Ann Duran on the air in Madison County
DALEVILLE — As a child, radio personality Ann Duran remembers her father calling her his mini-Barbara Walters.
-
Weights, measures officials protect consumers
ANDERSON — Whether consumers are filling up their cars’ gas tanks, buying a gallon of milk or drying clothes at a laundromat, one man in Anderson makes sure they always get their money’s worth.
-
AHS rocking to 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!'
ANDERSON, Ind. — With the end of the school year quickly approaching, Anderson High School Performing Arts students are springing into a favorite pastime. With the help of their director of six years, Tiffany Jackson, the group of 12 is putting on a musical, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
-
Anderson native to lead county ghost tour
ANDERSON — Growing up in Madison County, Nicole Kobrowski liked to visit some of the area’s creepier places, such as Moss Island Road just west of the city.
-
Sidewalk Prophets looking for a Dove
Sidewalk Prophets know how to please a crowd when they sing Christian pop at concerts across the nation.
Now, they’d like fans to reciprocate to help the band win a Dove Award. -
At Home: Project a bonding experience
PENDLETON — When a four-year project goes on for seven years, the result is often a strained marriage.
- More Home News (ADS ONLY) Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
