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Neil McDonald: 1-877-363-3772 • Fax: 432-333-7858 • info@odessaecodev.com [mailto:info@odessaecodev.com] click logo to return to home page back to News Releases Efforts Yield 200 New Southwestern Bell Jobs (ODESSA, TEXAS) The combined efforts of the Odessa Development Corporation, the City of Odessa and its citizens, the Economic Development Department of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and the taxing entities of Ector County have resulted in the creation of over 200 new jobs for the city of Odessa. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, a subsidiary of SBC Communications, Inc., will expand its current presence in the market with a new Business Inquiry Center within the city limits. The new center will be an in-bound call center responsible for answering questions concerning Southwestern Bell customer bills. It will be located in the existing 30,000 square foot AT&T building located at 3901 Penbrook and will employ a minimum of 200 citizens in high paying positions. According to Southwestern Bell Area Manager Guy D. Andrews, annual payroll for these new jobs will be $6.8 million annually. "This expansion represents a grand slam home run for Odessa in terms of economic development. When the citizens of Odessa voted for the 1/4-cent economic development sales tax in November 1997, we indicated that we wanted to diversify our economy by recruiting high paying jobs and expanding local businesses that were not oil or gas related. This project has done exactly that. As the Immediate Past Chairman of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, it is very gratifying for me to see a project come together that will provide 200 new jobs for Odessa," states Andrews. The Odessa Development Corporation is providing $1 million in economic development sales tax incentives to assist Southwestern Bell in buying and renovating the call center building. Bell will spend an additional $1.5 million through local contractors such as J.W. Cooper Construction Company and Permian Air Conditioning to complete the renovation of the building. In addition, four of the five county taxing entities will agree to abate Southwestern Bells new taxes in the amount of $55,222 over a five-year period, an abatement of just $11,044 per year. The company, which currently pays in excess of $2.5 million annually in municipal fees, county, city and school taxes, will pay taxes to the Ector County Independent School District totaling over $110,000 during five-year period. Don Wood, president of the Odessa Development Corporation Board of Directors, feels that the abated tax dollars is a wise investment in the future of Odessa. "While Southwestern Bell benefits by saving $11,044 each year in taxes for the first five years, our entire community benefits from the $34 million in salaries that will be paid to these new job holders over that same five-year abatement period," comments Wood. "Thats $34 million being spent at Odessa retailers, restaurants, hospitals and other businesses that would not be available without these new jobs. There is no doubt that it will greatly impact our local economy in a very positive manner," he adds. According to a recent study conducted by Perryman Consultants, Inc., the economic impact of Bells new Business Inquiry Center is even more far reaching. Total direct, indirect and induced expenditures into the local economy as a result of the 200+ new jobs will be $63.8 million each year. In addition, direct, indirect and induced employment as a result of Southwestern Bells decision to locate the new Business Inquiry Center in Odessa will actually create 638.8 new and sustained jobs in order to meet the need for more and new services throughout the community. "This is an excellent example of how economic development can help an existing company expand its services and payroll to the benefit of the entire community, which was one of the goals ODC established at its formation," adds Wood. "Odessa would have missed the chance to benefit from such a lucrative economic opportunity had the citizens of Odessa not passed the Economic Development tax in 1997." The new Bell Business Inquiry Center is slated for its official opening during the first quarter of 2000. Persons interested in service representative and clerical positions may pickup applications at the Southwester Bell Employment office at 301 W. 7 th Street in Odessa, or call the Southwestern Bell Employment Hotline at (915) 684-1580. Individuals interested in management positions may send their resumes to the Staffing Center of SBC Communications, Inc., 111 Soledad, Room 9-Q-1, San Antonio, TX, 78205.