NCO Financial Systems Inc. expanding operations in North Charleston

Company expects to create 75 new jobs

NCO Financial Systems Inc., a leading global provider of best-in-class business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions, today announced that it will expand its current operations in Charleston County due to new business development. In conjunction with the expansion, the company will be seeking to fill 75 new positions.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to expand our call center facility in Charleston County. South Carolina has provided us with an excellent environment in which to do business, and provided us with exceptional workforce talent. We look forward to growing here, and we appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Jay King, Co-Head ARM Operations, of NCO Financial Systems.

NCO Financial Systems will expand its call center operation, located at 4275 Bridge View Drive, in North Charleston. The center handles accounts receivable services for utilities and telecom revenue clients and currently employs more than 600 people. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in January 2013. The new positions are primarily for call center representatives.

“When existing businesses in South Carolina choose to expand, it’s a good indication our economic development efforts are on the right track. We celebrate NCO Financial Systems’ decision to grow in North Charleston and create 75 new jobs,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

NCO operates a global network of more than 100 operations centers running on a centralized data platform with the flexibility to respond to the changing marketplace, and to tailor operations to meet client specifications. NCO’s services include accounts receivable management, revenue cycle management and order-to-cash BPO services. NCO provides services across multiple vertical markets through a combination of voice, chat, email, voice automation, back-office, social media and self-help portals.

“NCO Financial Systems is a world-class company and this expansion in Charleston County is great news. Every one of these jobs will have impact in North Charleston. Announcements like this one show companies continue to see the Palmetto State as the right place to do business,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“Our congratulations go out to NCO Financial Services on their wonderful expansion,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor. “NCO Financial Services for many years has provided high-quality customer care employment to our citizens, and many a new career has been launched within their doors. Their standards of excellence and dedication to their employees have become their hallmark over the years, and we at Charleston County are pleased to be their long-term partner in success.”

“We are grateful for NCO Financial Services expanding its employment base, providing additional job opportunities for the citizens of North Charleston and the Greater Charleston Region,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “We proudly recognize NCO Financial Services as being a key component in North Charleston’s diverse, ever-growing business community.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions immediately. NCO is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit NCO's website, www.ncogroup.com, or contact the center’s recruitment line at 843-529-4701.

About EGS

Expert Global Solutions Inc. (EGS) is the holding company for APAC Customer Services Inc. and NCO Financial Systems Inc. EGS is a fully scaled and global partner serving all aspects of the CRM and ARM customer lifecycle, offering clients the unique complement of scale and a customized service delivery platform. EGS is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit EGS’s website: www.egscorp.com.

About NCO
NCO is a leading global provider of business process outsourcing services, including accounts receivable management, revenue cycle management and order to cash BPO services. NCO provides services across multiple vertical markets through a combination of voice, chat, email, voice automation, back-office, social media and self-help portals. NCO provides services through over 120 offices throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia. NCO is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit NCO’s website at www.ncogroup.com.

City of North Charleston breaks ground on 20th community center

The City of North Charleston broke ground on its newest community center located adjacent to Doorway Baptist Church on Thursday, September 15, 2011.

Dorchester Road Community Center will become North Charleston’s 20th community center.  The center will be utilized for neighborhood association meetings, afterschool programming, senior activities, and will be a summer camp site.

Mayor Summey stated, “We are proud to begin construction on the latest addition to our inventory of community centers that dot the City.  This center is a terrific expansion of recreational and civic services offered to the citizens of our city and will help us meet the needs of the growing population of the upper Dorchester Road corridor.”

The 4,400 sq ft facility is expected to be completed in the Spring 2012.

Message from Fire Chief Gregory Bulanow

Fire Chief Gregory Bulanow

Thank you for your interest in the North Charleston Fire Department.  Our department includes a diverse group of over 225 men and women working collectively to accomplish our mission to protect the quality of life in the City of North Charleston from all predictable hazards through prevention and emergency response.  The mission extends far beyond responding to fires or other emergencies and includes contributing to the quality of life in our City.  For those who assume that our firefighters are lounging at their stations waiting for an emergency call, our mission statement may seem confusing.  What does it mean for a fire department to protect quality of life, and what would that look like?

To see for yourself, you do not need to schedule a visit or tour a station.  In fact, you may not even find us there.  Instead, simply look for us as you participate in the things that are important to you and your family.  Each weekend our crews participate in school festivals, church picnics, neighborhood block parties, corporate family days, charitable fundraisers, and a variety of other events, providing fire safety information and prevention displays.

We offer medical first responders at sports tournaments, competitive run/walks, and neighborhood service days.  You may see us on the water providing assistance to boaters in distress during events, such as the recent Blue Angel’s air show.  You may see us on bike patrol during large events at North Charleston’s beautiful Riverfront Park, or at a child’s birthday party at North Charleston’s fantastic Fire Museum.  Late at night, you may see members of our Fire Marshal’s Bureau at nightclubs and restaurants to ensure the safety of those enjoying the City’s night life.

During the week, our firefighters are active in our schools, teaching fire prevention, as well as serving as positive role models in reading and mentoring programs.  You may see us at your place of employment, providing inspections to ensure compliance with fire codes to ensure your workplace is safe, or “pre-planning” a building for accurate information in the event of an emergency.  Our certified technicians help parents of small children learn to properly install safety seats in their vehicles.

Throughout the year, our crews join with the other City departments for the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET), working to improve the quality of life in targeted neighborhoods.  Our crews go door-to-door installing free smoke alarms as part of our award winning program that has provided thousands of these life saving devices to North Charleston residents.

Any one of these sights is a glimpse of us meeting the demands of our mission.  Our crews are engaged directly with our residents and businesses, working to prevent emergencies or in position to give immediate assistance in ways that fit specifically with the needs of our City.  Our crews also keeping a rigorous training schedule and maintain a constant state of readiness to respond en force to any emergency incident.  These initiatives and activities help us remain proactive and vigilant in providing fire protection.

We work hard to ensure that you will not need us in our traditional role of emergency responders, but if you do, be assured that you will experience the same high quality response that the North Charleston Fire Department has provided since our beginnings in 1937.  While our mission has expanded to meet the demands of the 21st century, it remains consistent with the oldest and finest traditions of the fire service.

Hop over to the City's website for more information on the North Charleston Fire Department