Yarmouth Links to the New Economy with Register.com
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--Yarmouth Links to the New Economy with Register.com
Yarmouth''s new call centre goes above and beyond the call of duty with Internet service. Register.com, a leading provider of domain name registration services, will begin operating in May, bringing up to 300 jobs and an estimated payroll of $48.8 million over the first six years to the Yarmouth area.
"We’re extremely excited to be moving our call centre operations to Yarmouth, because we believe it offers Register.com substantial benefits, including talented people, a supportive community and an excellent technological infrastructure," said Jack Kerins, Register.com''s vice president of Customer Service. "Good customer service is what made Register.com the successful and profitable company it is today, and our Yarmouth customer care center will help us build on this success as our customer base grows and our business diversifies."
The Province of Nova Scotia has provided Register.com with a payroll rebate, calculated on the amount of taxes generated by the company. By reaching its full employment targets, Register.com will receive up to $4.6 million in payroll rebates over six years.
"The Yarmouth area is gaining a successful and growing company because of close co-operation and teamwork by all levels of government, as well as the Nova Scotia Community College and the private sector," said Premier John Hamm. "This partnership is bringing an exciting new business to Nova Scotia and helping to grow our economy."
"These are quality jobs in an area that has suffered following the downturn in the fishery. Our Economic Growth Strategy talks about building regional capacity. What better way than by encouraging jobs in the technology sector, utilizing the skills of tomorrow," said the premier.
Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced that the agency would provide $950,000 for construction of the facility. The funds will be made available through the economic development component of the Fisheries Restructuring and Adjustment Measures (FRAM) program, which the agency manages.
"Together we are laying the foundation to realize the full potential of the new economy in Yarmouth," said Mr. Thibault. "The Government of Canada is committed to building strong communities. There is no better way to do that than to invest in partnerships promoting innovative, locally owned projects. These investments create new opportunities and improve the quality of life in our own communities."
The 250-seat customer service centre will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the new community-owned IT facility. The facility is being constructed in Yarmouth’s Hebron Industrial Park by the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. Working in close cooperation with partners from all levels of government and the private sector, the commission will construct and lease a 20,400 square-foot state-of-the-art facility designed to house the customer and technical service representatives.
Yarmouth area communities continue to be instrumental in creating a positive economic environment. They are demonstrating the area’s assets and abilities and enabling investments in capital costs, training, technology and payroll rebates.
"Our workforce and our ability to work together with the common goal of increasing economic opportunity in the Yarmouth area are amongst our greatest strengths," said Warden Chris Perry speaking on behalf of the Municipality of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Argyle, the Town of Yarmouth and the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. "Pooling these resources and this knowledge has allowed us to maximize our competitive advantage." The three municipal governments have contributed $950,000 towards the $1.9-million facility.
More than 70 per cent of the centre’s projected 300 employees will work exclusively on the Internet while the remaining 30 per cent will use both the phone and Internet to service customers. Customized training began in March for 20 trainees at the Burridge Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, the centre’s temporary location. Expected to open in September 2001, the IT facility has helped the local community attract new business and retain skilled workers.
Register.com, Inc., at www.Register.com, provides domain name registration and other Internet services for individuals and businesses that wish to have a unique address and a branded identity on the Internet. The first registrar to compete in the domain registration market after its deregulation in 1999, Register.com has processed over three million registrations across more than 230 top-level domains.
The three-year Fisheries Restructuring and Adjustment Measures program was launched in August 1999. It is contributing $21.3 million to strategic long-term projects that will help diversify the economies of Nova Scotia communities affected by the downsizing of the groundfishery. Just over $16 million is allocated to the mainland, where the program is managed by ACOA, and $5 million is allocated to Cape Breton, where the program is managed by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The following is a backgrounder on Register.com''s funding partners.
Province of Nova Scotia: $4.6 million payroll rebate.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency: $950,000 towards cost of constructing 20,000-square-foot building.
Municipality of Yarmouth: $775,000 towards the cost of constructing 20,000-square-foot building.
Town of Yarmouth: $100,000 towards the cost of constructing 20,000-square-foot building.
Municipality of Argyle: $75,000 towards the cost of constructing 20,000-square-foot building.