Empereon still adding jobs
Christmas is coming early for upwards 90 area residents who have secured jobs Coudersport's newest employer, Empereon Marketing.

Outbound sales calls began last week at the customer contact center, while a second group of employees was being trained. At least 85 workers will be on the job by the end of the month.

General Manager Jamie Evens told Endeavor News that hiring and training will kick into high gear after the first of the year, resulting in an estimated 400 people on staff by July and a projected 600 by the end of 2008.

"The vast majority of people who have been hired by Empereon are former employees Adelphia and/or Time Warner," Evens said. "One of the reasons the company was attracted to this area was the large number of employees with proven skills and experience."

Empereon will operate a modern customer center at the former Tennis Center in west Coudersport, which was headquarters for customer operations at Adelphia and, later, Time Warner.

Time Warner donated the building to the Potter County Redevelopment Authority, which is leasing it to Empereon.

Two of the partners with the Phoenixbased Empereon Marketing were in Coudersport last week to troubleshoot any problems as the customer contact center opened. Bryan McRoberts (left) and Drew Hill made the trip to oversee technical operations. Lugene Heimel photo

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

Empereon received a $450,000 grant from the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development, a low-interest loan of $350,000 for machinery and equipment, and a $200,000 job training loan.