RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that SI International, an information technology and network solutions company, will invest $1 million to open a customer service center in Dickenson County. The center, which will move into the former Travelocity building in Clintwood, will create 100 new jobs. SI International is working under a contract with the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to provide call center and support services to the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan for federal civilian and military employees.
“It is gratifying to know that SI International will take advantage of the state-of-the-art Travelocity building and the region’s ready-made workforce,” said Governor Warner. “The unified effort of the local, regional and state agencies involved with this project secured this deal for Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth.”
SI International is a provider of information technology and network solutions primarily to the federal government. The company defines, designs, builds, deploys and operates mission-critical solutions for the Department of Defense and Federal Civilian agencies. SI International delivers solutions quickly with a focus on mission-critical outsourcing, federal IT modernization, homeland defense and defense transformation. Founded in 1998, SI International is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and employs more than 3,800 people.
“It is rewarding to see state, regional and local government entities work so well together to bring a project of this size to successful fruition,” said William A. Smithson, Vice President of SI International. “Everyone has been fantastic to work with.”
The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission funded a research project that ultimately led the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to contact SI International as a potential occupant for the former Travelocity building. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Tobacco Commission, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Dickenson County to assist SI International with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Program.
"We are pleased to have SI International come to Clintwood and Dickenson County,” said Paul Buchanan, Chairman of the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors. “We think the jobs they are bringing are going to be jobs that will be here for a long time. We're thankful the company has chosen Dickenson County for their location.”
"The arrival of SI International and these customer contact jobs is wonderful news for not only Dickenson County, but the region as well,” said Donald Baker, Mayor of Clintwood and Chairman of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. “This company is able to take advantage of our trained and dedicated workforce in this region, and we are hopeful this is only the beginning of a long and productive relationship with Clintwood and Dickenson County.”