Sky America To Bring Over 1,300 Jobs to Rutherford County Representing the Largest Single Job Announcement in County’s History
Forest City, NC - The Rutherford County Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce that Sky America Service Center, Inc. will be bringing a new high tech communications center resulting in over 1,300 jobs to Rutherford County. The company has committed to create at least 50 to 100 jobs prior to the end of this year, with an additional 1,200 jobs spread over the next five years. The operation will be located in the former Stonecutter Mills Number 1, Spindale, which was recently acquired by Two Mile Properties. Two Mile Properties will begin up-fitting a portion of the building immediately for the communication center.
Don Thompson, CEO & Chairman of Sky Catcher Communications, stated, “It is only befitting that the new Sky America Communications Center, which represents today’s technology, will be housed in a facility that once represented the technology of another era.”
In the coming weeks Sky America will begin initial hiring through the local NC Employment Security Commission located on Trade Street in Forest City. Total investment for this project is expected to exceed three million dollars.
Orbis Global Solutions, Inc., an operator of Service Centers in Latin America and based in Sunrise, FL has partnered with Sky Catcher Communications, Inc., a communication and systems integration company based in Rutherfordton, NC to form Sky America Service Center, Inc. to develop this 21st century communications center in the United States.
Kent Covington, Chief Operating Officer of Sky Catcher Communications, stated, “We are very excited about offering jobs to the residents of Rutherford County that in the past would be sent off-shore”.
Chivous Bradley, Chairman of the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners stated, “This announcement is tremendous news for Rutherford County. The region is suffering from a slowing economy and a project such as this will assist the entire area. I believe this represents the largest single job announcement in the history of Rutherford County and it is coming at a time when new jobs are desperately needed.”
Sky America will have the capacity to provide client support to fortune 100 companies, marketing services, polling, surveying and consulting to additional third parties who want to effectively reach the consumer marketplace. The Company will also provide communication services to third parties, including but not limited to:
1.Database design, maintenance and mining
2.Marketing program creation and implementation
3.Workstation, call routing and equipment time sharing for third parties
4.Specialized consulting services for the creation of communications center marketing programs
Tom Johnson, Economic Developer for Rutherford County stated, "We are extremely excited about this huge announcement.” Johnson further stated he wishes to thank Sky Catcher Communications, Orbis Global Solutions, the Stanford Financial Group based in Houston, Texas and Two Mile Properties for coming together with this new company and for locating in Rutherford County making today’s announcement possible. Johnson also wanted to thank others who participated in the project. In addition to Rutherford County, other participants included the Rutherford County Workforce Development Board at Isothermal Planning and Development Commission, Duke Energy, the State of North Carolina, Isothermal Community College and the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group.
Rutherford County has a population of 63,000 and is located in the foothills of Western North Carolina. With a strong economy and workforce, Rutherford County is well poised for industrial and commercial growth. The Economic Development office includes four staff focused on industrial recruitment, existing industry, marketing, commercial development, research and analysis, and administration.
"As a life-long resident of western North Carolina I can’t imagine a more beautiful or diverse place to live and work." D. Samuel Neill
Attorney-At-Law & AdvantageWest Board Member
