News Releases for July 2004
July 15, 2004
Contact: Ken Will, Bismarck-Mandan Development Association (701) 222-5530
Lee Peterson, Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce (701) 328-5300
Hoeven Announces Company Expansion In Mandan
BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, along with company and local officials, today announced the expansion of Verifications, Inc. (VI) in Mandan, N.D.
Verifications, Inc. has proven for more than 17 years that it is the premiere provider of background investigations and employment screening services. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and has locations in Aberdeen and Watertown, S.D., and Bismarck, N.D.
“Verifications, Inc. is a flourishing company that has chosen to expand operations in North Dakota over neighboring states because of our outstanding work ethic, educated workforce and business-friendly environment,” Hoeven said. “When Curt and I first spoke about this project four months ago, we talked about 150 jobs in North Dakota and today, the potential is closer to 250 jobs - that’s good news for all of us.”
Since its inception in 1987, VI has served more than 4,000 clients, many of whom are Fortune 50 and Fortune 100 companies. “Our business has grown based on a reputation for excellent customer service where we focus on accuracy, quality of information, the use of technology and a demonstrated ability to meet commitments to clients,” said Curt Marks, president and CEO of Verifications, Inc. “These critical success factors are closely aligned with the traits we find in our North Dakota employees, and the primary reason we will nearly double the number of employees working for VI at all of our locations.”
VI first opened a substance abuse testing office, Live Response, in Bismarck in May 2003. Currently, there are six employees at that location. The new VI facility will be located on Old Red Trail, directly east of the Sunset Drive interchange in northwest Mandan. The 20,000 square-foot building is expandable to 30,000 square-feet and is expected to be complete and operational by early spring 2005.
“For many years, the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association has been the front-runner for jobs creation in our communities. Verifications, Inc. is a wonderful example of that,” said Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont. “Their ability to recognize the needs that allow the Mandan-Bismarck area to grow its economic opportunities with a variety of projects, programs and approaches is greatly appreciated.”
Bismarck Mayor John Warford said, “The city of Bismarck is pleased to be a part of Mandan landing the Verifications project. This is a great example of how cooperation between the two cities can benefit all.”
The market for outsourced employment screening and substance abuse testing was estimated to be over $2.5 billion in 2003 and is growing at a rate of about 8-10 percent per year. VI delivers a measured accuracy rate that exceeds 99.99 percent. In addition, the company has a customer retention rate of over 97 percent and an employee turnover of less than 15 percent.
“We hear the same message time and again from our Bismarck-Mandan employers,” said Jay Feil, president of the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association. “When you do business in Bismarck-Mandan, you get highly educated, dedicated employees who show up for work and get the job done…well.”
According to North Dakota State University Professor, Larry Leistritz, the estimated annual direct economic impact (contribution) of VI once the facility is fully staffed at the end of year three is $8.56 million, including $5 million of payroll and $1.35 million of employee benefits.
“Economic indicators from a variety of sources point to positive changes in our state’s economy,” Hoeven said. “We are growing North Dakota’s economy with expansions like Verification, Inc. in Mandan, and we are continuing to improve the quality of life for the people of North Dakota.”
The Bismarck-Mandan Development Association facilitated the project on behalf of the city of Mandan. Partners on the project include Bismarck Vision Fund, Job Service North Dakota, Lewis & Clark Regional Council, Mandan Growth Fund, North Dakota Development Fund, and the divisions of Community Services and Economic Development & Finance at the North Dakota Department of Commerce.
For more information on the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association, visit www.bmda.org. For more information on the North Dakota Department of Commerce, visit www.growingnd.com/index.asp. For more information on Verifications, Inc., visit www.verificationsinc.com.
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