New call center open for business

Its work force isn’t large at this point, but Customer Elation, the latest company to come to Hutchinson’s industrial park, is ready for growth when it comes.

The Bloomington-based in-bound, customer service center opened its 22,200-square-foot facility along Fifth Avenue Southeast last week. It currently rosters about 10 employees, but has room to eventually have 325 computerized work stations, president and co-founder Peter Hainey said Thursday.

“We had 200 applicants for our first 10 jobs,” Hainey said. “All of our first employees had previous call center experience. Initially, we’ll be shifting some work from our Foley call center, which is full. We expect to be hiring five to 10 people per month.”

The goal, under their agreement with the Minnesota JOBZ program, is to have 100 people on staff within two years. About 175 workstations are ready in the south half of the building. The north half of the building can be finished when needed.

“It is an aggressive goal, but attainable,” Hainey said. The company is working with the Hutchinson Minnesota Workforce Center office. Beginning service reps make about $10 per hour, plus benefits.

Staff Writer Terry Davis can be reached at (320) 234-4153.