Infocision plans center that will add many jobs

It will be the first occupant of a 24-acre technology park.

By DON SHILLING

VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR

BOARDMAN — Infocision Management Corp. is building a new call center in Boardman and adding a substantial amount of jobs.

Details on the job creation will not be released until a ground-breaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, said Matt Feltrup, a company spokesman.

Infocision told state officials in February that it planned to create 73 full-time jobs in Boardman and 80 full-time jobs in an expansion of its Austintown call center.

Besides the new jobs in Boardman, Infocision said it is moving 240 workers from a rented location on Southern Boulevard to the new site.

Infocision will be the first occupant of Crossroads Tech Park, which was announced in 2002. Township zoning records list the value of the building at $1.26 million.

Crossroads Drive, which is off East Western Reserve Road, is being developed by C-Z Construction and Development Co. of Boardman.

Dan Zarlenga, company president, announced five years ago that he hoped the 24-acre development would attract a dozen companies and up to 300 jobs.

Same focus

Rick Laskey, a company spokesman, said plans for the technology park haven’t changed. The Infocision call center fits into the plans because of its high-tech communications.

Among the other types of companies being targeted are backup data centers, which house computer information for various companies. Laskey said the developers aren’t interested in industrial companies.

“It’s taken so long because we haven’t changed our focus. It’s a real select group that we’re targeting,” he said.

Although Infocision was the first company to commit to Crossroads, Laskey said the developers have talked to a number of companies that were interested in the site.

Infocision has been expanding in the area for years. Its local employment is up to 1,200, including call centers in Youngstown and New Castle. Overall, the company operates 28 call centers at 12 locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

shilling@vindy.com