Qwest facility will bring 575 jobs to valley
Cache Valley’s job outlook for Utah State University students just got a little bit better.
Members of Qwest Communications International’s executive advising team announced Tuesday the opening of a new 90,000 square foot customer sales and service center on 2250 N. Main Street in North Logan.
The facility will provide 575 different jobs to residents throughout the valley.
“We could have housed anywhere in the United States,” said Qwest President for Utah Jerry Fenn. “Utah is a terrific place to do business and Cache Valley is a particularly great place with a dependable workforce.”
The average annual salary for these positions is about $40,000 and the lowest is $24,000. In addition, 43 jobs will be available that pay more than $60,000 annually.
“This is a tremendous partnership not only for Logan, but for Utah State University,” USU President Stan Albrecht said. “It’s a great addition to the valley.”
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Senator Bob Bennett and Rep. Rob Bishop attended the event as well, in support of announcement.
“This is a representative of what’s happening in what is today the fifth fastest-growing state in America,” Hunstman said. “We’re talking about real jobs for real people.”
The company will begin conducting interviews March 14 for 575 different jobs. Employees will be handling inbound calls to answer inquiries about Qwest services, Fenn said.
“They are great paying jobs,” Fenn said. “These jobs are well over the country medium.”
The sales and service associates will go through a 12-weeek associate training program. Positions will also be available for supervisors and human resource specialists. Many of the positions will be represented by the Communications Workers of American and will include a benefits package, Qwest Executive Vice President Paula Kruger said.
“These jobs will be held by members of the local community, relatives, friends and neighbors,” she said.
Logan resident Linda Croft attended the event to see how the change could increase productivity of her new online business, www.recoveryskin.com.
“North Logan is a very forward-reaching community,” she said. “I’m thrilled about it.”
Aside from the new facility in North Logan, Qwest has also opened two other facilities in the past two years in Iowa and South Dakota, providing a total of 3,000 jobs.
Interested candidates can apply and interview for these positions at Bridgerland Applied Technology College West Campus 1400 N. 1000 West.
Through cooperation from the state, Qwest has also received funding for a redundant fiber optic path that will provide a backup for the main line route, Fenn said. The total incentives Qwest has received from the state totals $3.1 million.
“I’m grateful to Qwest for the its decision to invest here,” Bishop said.
For more informaton visit the Qwest Web site at www.qwest.com.
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu