NTELOS invests over $9 million
Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that CFW Communications, doing business as NTELOS, will locate a new customer care facility in the PortCentre I Building in Portsmouth. This call center will create 250 new jobs for Virginians and result in $9.6 million in total investment. Virginia successfully competed with West Virginia for the project.
"I am very pleased that NTELOS is committed to expanding within Virginia," said Governor Gilmore. "This decision will result in a number of new jobs for Hampton Roads residents. The expansion of this telecommunications leader further proves our commitment to the growth of technology firms here in the Commonwealth."
CFW Communications (NASDAQ: CFWC), doing business as NTELOS, is an integrated communications provider with headquarters in Waynesboro, Virginia. CFW was founded in 1897 as the Clifton Forge-Waynesboro Mutual Telephone Company. The company provides a broad range of integrated solutions for business and residential customers in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky. Their services include the largest digital PCS network in the region, local and long distance telephone services, and Internet access. Their recent acquisition of PrimeCo and other PCS license in Pennsylvania have accelerated the need for a new facility. The addition of the customer care center in Portsmouth will enable NTELOS to meet the needs of its growing customer base.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity for the new NTELOS customer care center to be located in our home state of Virginia," said James S. Quarforth, Chairman and CEO for CFW Communications. "NTELOS and the Commonwealth of Virginia are leading the industry by bringing state-of-the-art technology to the great communities in our state."
"NTELOS' decision to locate in Portsmouth will have a tremendous positive economic impact on the city," said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal. "The addition of 250 new jobs is sure to boost the economy as well as diversify the business sector."
Governor Gilmore approved a $400,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Portsmouth with site preparation. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and the City of Portsmouth assisted NTELOS with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services and NTELOS will be eligible for further tax credits because they are locating in an enterprise zone.
"We were very pleased to work closely with the State and with the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance in bringing this high-quality business to Portsmouth," said Portsmouth Mayor James W. Holley III. "I applaud the vision of City Council, City staff and the Industrial Development Authority in developing PortCentre I, which gave us an available building when this opportunity came along."