Lubbock Call Center
[Edited on May 26th, 2006 after a phone call from Dale Gannaway. This blog is, and always will be, one-sided, as it's my opinion of what I know. I'm not a journalist, per se, which goes off and check my facts with all possible sources. Take a look at my CompUSA series for some proof of this. I simply wrote what CompUSA was doing for me [nothing]. That doesn't mean that they don't have thousands of happy customers elsewhere. More on this below.]I began looking at possibilities for a clients' call center to be placed in Lubbock, TX a few weeks ago. So far, I haven't made much progress.
I am aware that Lubbock has a high percentage of call centers, with some 5,000+ workers in the area being employed in that industry. Both in-bound, and out-bound. However, we'd be looking to setup a small operation, perhaps as many as 6 employees.
After doing some of my own research, I called the local Market Lubbock, or as they're now called ... Lubbock Economic Development Alliance. They are responsible for bringing different businesses to the area. [Note: There is a list of the assisted companies somewhere on their website. It's been reorganized, and I'm having a hard time finding the press releases section.]
[Edit: I'm removing a paragraph of what is still my opinion, but after a pleasant call from one of the LEDA staff, I'm going to remove it. This is a slow-moving area, and my expectations are likely high, to see rapidly moving change in the area. I'm an East Coast guy, and I'm used to seeing entire communities pop up out of the forest in a matter of moments.]
Regardless, I got an email back from Dale Gannaway, who's responsible for a lot of local interactions. He's in charge of the RCIC -- which, as of February, has produced $1.9 million -- which appears to have been used to recuit Dr. Thea Wilkins to Texas Tech. Probably a good play considering the local economy's reliance on agriculture. [Edit: We discussed some additional $12 million in play, but there appears to be no one press release about all of it.]
My company was turned down, because it was a startup (disclaimer: I did not apply via the RCIC, I went through another funding form of Texas Capital). [Edit: I am very aware that startups have a hard time getting funding, and that the Texas government made it very clear that they would not be the first money to the table.] I was hopeful when it started that someone who could produce a product would be able to get some funding.
I do know that the RCIC board responsible for seeing companies through to the next level has (or had) Gary Pankonien, among others, on it. Gary is a Venture Capitalist from Emergent Technologies. [Edit: I've removed some items here, because I'm not trying to be detrimental OR negative to anyone -- just my opinion. It looks like the board has been expanded. I'm still of the opinion that any VC / Investor on the board should ensure that there is NO conflict of interest by ensuring that THEIR companies pursue opportunities elsewhere. I have been told that this has not been the case in the past.]
[Side Note: I've met Gary, and he's pleasant enough. I'm not 100% sure what it is, exactly, that he does .... but I know a bunch of people who are charged up about him bringing money to Lubbock. I also know a bunch of people who don't much care for what he's doing. Whatever that may be. A quick google of him shows him to be either sitting as CEO of quite a few companies or very rapidly flipping them. Of course, he is a Venture Capitalist.]
Anyway, turns out Dale doesn't do much with what I needed anymore, and passed me off to Marc Farmer. Had a call with him about tax incentives, real estate, etc... for call centers. LAST Wednesday? Thursday? No word back from him on the stats I was expecting.
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