Iowa-based call center to locate offices in Grinnell

A new call center will soon be located in Grinnell, bringing some good economic news to a community that has seen its share of bad news the past few months.

Thomas L. Cadella & Associates announced in early July that the company will expand its operations into Grinnell, bringing approximately 80 to 100 jobs and more than $3.5 million of annualized payroll.

“When you have a company like this step up and create jobs, it’s a big deal,” said Bill Menner, executive director of Poweshiek Iowa Development (Pow-I-80). “In the call center universe, their wages are pretty good.”

The new call center, an inbound customer service center, will share space in the Iowa Telecom building on 11th Avenue with Verizon.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Thomas L. Cardella & Associates are coming to Grinnell,” said Gordon Canfield, Grinnell mayor. “This is an ideal location for the company and we are pleased that they will be able to take advantage of it. This company is growing rapidly and we’re glad to be part of that growth.”

Thomas L. Cardella, president of Thomas L. Cardella & Associates, added, “We are thrilled to be expanding our operations into the City of Grinnell. Our clients are excited to have individuals from Iowa represent their business to their customers.”

Brett Stonewall, a former resident of the Grinnell and Marshalltown areas, has been hired as the manager.

But Cardella is quick to say that Stonewall will be one of the only hires from out of the area.

Credit Menner with attracting the company to the area.

“It’s something that took a year and a half to happen, but it took us planting the seed,” he said.

According to Menner, he first contacted Cardella in December 2007. “I wrote him a letter and told him we have a great location in Grinnell,” he said. “I knew that they were in the growth mode.”

The company expects to begin hiring towards the end of the summer and plans to begin operations on Sept. 1, 2009.

Founded in April 2007, the company is ranked as one of the fastest growing contact center companies in the U.S., with offices in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Keokuk and Marshalltown.

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATED July 14, 2009 1:10 PM