News Releases for July 2004
July 8, 2004
For more information contact:
Jerry Klein, Central Dakota Development, (701) 547-3251
Lee Peterson, Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce, (701) 328-5300
Hoeven Announces MTI Expansion In Fessenden
BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, along with company and local officials, today announced the expansion of Midwest TeleMark International (MTI) in Fessenden, ND.
MTI is a fully automated, customer sales and service company that specializes in telecommunications. The Fessenden location is the ninth for MTI in North Dakota; the company also has locations in Boissevain and Brandon, Manitoba. Other North Dakota locations include Mohall (headquarters), Beulah, Grafton, Kenmare, Bottineau, Langdon, Stanley and Rugby.
"MTI is a wonderful example of a North Dakota company that is growing and prospering in the state," Hoeven said. When the final seven employees complete their training this summer, MTI will bring 30 new jobs to a community of 625 and more than 500 jobs to North Dakota -- that's good news for all of us."
Since its inception in 1990, MTI has assisted communication service providers throughout the U.S. to achieve their objectives and shape strong customer relationships. "We have more than a dozen clients with customers in nearly all 50 states," said Steve Hett, president and CEO of MTI. "The exceptional work ethic of our North Dakota employees in partnership with our low turnover is the basis on which our company has been built."
The employee turnover rate for call centers is as high as 190 percent, Hett said. MTI has the lowest turnover of the industry. In addition, the absenteeism rate for MTI employees is less than two percent.
"We hear the same message time and again from our North Dakota employers," said Lee Peterson, commissioner for the North Dakota Department of Commerce. "Businesses who expand or locate in North Dakota can expect their employee turnover and absenteeism rates to be at least one-half of the national average for their respective industry. When you do business in North Dakota, you get highly educated, dedicated employees who show up for work and get the job done...well."
Sen. Jerry Klein is president of Central Dakota Development, the volunteer economic development corporation for the Fessenden area. Klein worked closely with Hett and his management team to bring MTI to the community.
"When the call center previously in Fessenden closed in January of this year, we lost 30 jobs for our citizens. Those jobs are critical to our community, and we worked diligently to find a high-quality, reputable company like MTI to fill that void. We are excited to have MTI in Fessenden and we are pleased to know they are well on their way to filling 30 positions in our community."
MTI provides about 500 part- and full-time positions across North Dakota. The company paid out $6.7 million in wages in 2003.
"Economic indicators from a variety of sources point to positive changes in our state's economy," Hoeven said. "Expansions like MTI's in Fessenden bare witness to the fact that we are growing the North Dakota economy, and with our smart growth initiatives, we will continue to improve the quality of life for the people of North Dakota."
Partners on the project include Central Dakota Development, the city of Fessenden, Wells County Job Development Authority, South Central Regional Council, Ottertail Power, North Dakota Telephone Company, and the divisions of Community Services and Economic Development & Finance at the North Dakota Department of Commerce.
For more information on the North Dakota Department of Commerce, visit www.ndcommerce.com. For more information on MTI, visit www.midwest-tel.com.
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