Home-based call center plans to employ 1,000 in Oklahoma

[FFLady]

Well, I have no comment on this thread, as I just recently found out there was a Gatorade plant in Pryor..........

[Generals64]

Shouldn't step into this one but, do you guys really think tht the Mayor and Governor are just sitting around looking for Call centers? How about those 1,000 people WITHOUT a job at all? If they get a chance to have a JOB (that they didn't have before) then they will be able to add to the tax base, retail sales and purchases and so on....If YOU can do any better then there is going to be an election for Mayor and Governor sometime in the futre...You try to do and let us know. How many out of work people are willing to jump at this chance....think about it, with 1,000 jobs, making $400.00 per week (now, try to learn math here) that equates to $400,000.00 a week in the economy or in simple language $ 20,800,000.00 per year in new income into Oklahoma....Be proud that someone might have a chance to better their lives because they got a job....IN OKLAHOMA.......

[lasomeday]

That is not the point. The point is that the governor is sitting on his arse and doing nothing. He has done nothing besides legalize gambling in the state with the tribes and the lottery. Other than that he slowed down tort reformed and stalled Workers Comp reform and watered it down. He has done nothing to bring business to Oklahoma. I am ready for a governor who will capitalize on all that we have done to OKC. Cornett is doing a great job. He and the past mayors of OKC are why we go the Hornets and Thunder. The governor may have given a speech but did none of the grunt work.

I think Cornett should run for Governor. Just thought I would throw his hat in the ring!

[kevinpate]

If in fact Gov. Henry has sat on his arse for a term and a half and only has done that which you credit to him, as the gov in a state with heavy poulist leanings, one would have tos ay all in all, nice job there gov.

We'll ignore the factoid of a vote of the people on the lotto Q as that's merely a pesky bit of reality that had nothing to do with the matter.

As for the 'reforms' that were stalled, some would disagree he sat on his arse and would say his ability to stand tall against such 'reforms' were among his finest hours in office.

They are as convinced of the correctness of their thoughts as you are of yours.

The more likely truth, as usual, sits on a small island somewhere between the left and right banks of politico swamp

[Generals64]

Just think if Oklahoma was to get as many as ten (10) companies with the payroll proposed by this call line center we would see an influx of $200 million dollars into the states economy. Homes would start climbing...Grocery sales would grow....Schools would get some more help....Should I go on from there? I agree that Cornett should try the Governor's job but don't beat up on Henry he may be doing his best....the state citizen's elected him.....shoot, I even voted for Bush twice.....
-----------------------see ya next time:------------------

[bretthexum]

I've posted this in other threads earlier this year. Obviously these people have done their homework and see that we have an abundance of the so called "call center worker". Not all people that work at call centers are the scum of the earth. These are usually good paying part or full time jobs for college students, or people looking for a second job. The people that are pissing and moaning about this are the same people who whine about people on welfare. If you don't like it then don't work there. Simple as that. It's a JOB for someone.

[Jacob_Daddy]

Guess they would rather the people that take these job to be riding in the welfare wagon that we are pulling, rather than helping pull it.

I see it as a good thing, especially since they are working from home. That means there is less traffic on the road since these people commute from their bedroom to the computer daily, instead of tearing up the crosstown even more.

[Jacob_Daddy]

I hate to sound cynical as well, however, we really need more skilled, higher paying jobs. I just do not understand why OKC or Oklahoma for that matter cannot attract any Fortune 500 companies? I really belive a big part of the problem lies with the leadership and government of this State. I have discussed this issue in previous threads but I am not able to get any answers. Look what's happening to OKC oil companies. Did this State not learn from it's near catastrophic collapse back in the 80's? Is the problem lie that OKC is to close to Dallas and Kansas City which have a much higher concentration of HQ's. I never hear from executives that they wish to relocate to OKC its always Dallas, Houston and even KC. What gives?

Have you seen our school district? It is hard to get employers to believe that we have skilled workers here when 35% of our students drop out of high school.

[adaniel]

I agree it is a matter of taste and personal opinion. Maybe if your employed in the oil and gas business in Oklahoma it is lucrative, but then again, after what oil and gas has been doing the last month wrecking havoc not only nationally as well as the State. But my biggest point is would you not want your city and State to have a cushion against oil prices and have a diversified economy? Large corporations relocating to OKC would make the city more prosperous, affluent and big companies establish roots in their communities. As far as ugly, I find OKC to be dirty and unkempt, "run down" is a better term. Dallas is much more modern and striking and has much more to offer than OKC so your statement about "very little improvement" over OKC is a weak argument IMPO.

OK I'm really bored at work right now and I've read through some of your posts and all I can say is, you sir, need to lay off the North Dallas Koolaid.

You are correct in the fact that Dallas's main economic niche is luring high paid executive HQ jobs. I grew up in Plano, which was probably the biggest beneficiary of this system. But for an area that is supposed to be affordable by most national standards, Dallas is really lacking in a middle class. Lots of gushy, high paid executives in the burbs, low paying service jobs that serve these people, and not much else. FWIW, the city of Dallas has a lower median income than the city of OKC (notice median not average, which is a better indicator of across the board wealth).

Personally I think OKC should (and is) following Austin’s growth model. Austin only has one fortune 500 company (Dell, maybe one other one), but it has tons of small start ups and small businesses, thanks to a strong entrepreneurial spirit that you wouldn’t get in a community that whores itself out to big corporations that will eventually move to greener pastures when the money is right. Think about it. Devon, American Fidelity, Midfirst, Chesapeake, Sonic, they were all companies started here in OKC.

Personally, I can say I’m about to graduate, and an opportunity came up in Dallas. I was really excited about it, but the company I am working for now gave me an offer I can’t refuse. Sure, I could move back in with my parents and have a higher salary to boot, but I would probably blow it by trying to keep up with all the other credit card millionaires down there, and I’ve come to appreciate OKC: progressive without the pretentiousness that comes with it.

Although I could really use a Central Market.

[jbrown84]

Well said adaniel. Thanks for posting that.