JOB FORECAST NOW AT 600
Empereon interviews begin

Potter County's newest employer has boosted its job forecast from 450 to a new figure of 600 in place by the end of 2008.

Empereon Marketing this week began interviewing applicants for the 150 jobs to be filled over the next three months.

Empereon will operate a modern customer contact center at the former "tennis center" in west Coudersport, which was headquarters for a call center operated by Adelphia and, later, Time Warner.

Time Warner is donating the building to the Potter County Redevelopment Authority, which will lease it to Empereon. The company does expect to buy it eventually.

Empereon, based in Phoenix, Ariz., is an outsourcer handling customer contacts for large cable companies and major newspaper/media chains. The Coudersport agents will handle telephone and Internet contacts for customer service, technical support and marketing.

Empereon issued a news release over the weekend assuring local job-seekers that the opening is imminent.

"Equipment delays from key technology suppliers have forced Empereon to delay the original opening day of Oct. 1 to a projected date of Oct. 28," the release said. "These delays are out of the hands of Empereon and are in no way a reflection of our commitment to bringing jobs to the area."

Jamie Evens, general manager for the Empereon facility, said hiring will start around Oct. 15.

"We would like to thank the Coudersport community for making this transition as easy as possible," Empereon said in its release. "The 'Welcome' banners, the cooperation and work of many groups have saved us countless hours of energy and expense."