More jobs coming to Coudersport

Hiring will resume soon at Coudersport's newest employer, Empereon Marketing, where more than 80 people have already secured jobs.

Outbound sales calls began last month at the customer contact center. Additional hiring and training will kick into high gear in mid-January, resulting in an estimated 400 people on staff by July, and a projected 600 by the end of 2008.

Empereon is operating a modern customer center at the former Tennis Center in west Coudersport, which was headquarters for customer operations at Adelphia and, later, Time Warner. Last fall, Time Warner donated the building to the Potter County Redevelopment Authority.

Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Empereon is an outsourcer handling customer contacts for large cable companies and major media chains. 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.