Call center in Tell City to close, 200 jobs likely lost

In a release from the Tell City office given to employees Monday and also posted on the company’s Facebook page, the last day of operation will be June 16. The company said the reason for the decision is one that reflects clients’ “changing business needs.”

“We want to thank the great people of Tell City and the surrounding communities for allowing us to be a part of this town and its success,” the announcement read. “We also want to thank our Brand Warriors for their tireless support and dedication to our company, our clients and our clients’ customers.”

For years, the STARTEK brand was locally known as Accent Marketing. In June 2015, the Colorado-based STARTEK purchased the Accent chain in a $16 million deal. The Tell City facility was one of more than a dozen U.S.-based centers operated by STARTEK, with representatives located around the globe in five countries. The next nearest one is in Jeffersonville.

With about 200 employees expected to be displaced with the center’s closing, the company has said it will support workers as they transition into new fields. According to the press release, STARTEK feels it has given ample time of notice to help prepare for the shift.

That includes various resources, partnering with state and local outsourcing job-placement tools to help workers in their job searches. In addition, eligible employees will be given opportunities to move into new positions within the STARTEK company or otherwise offered a severance package.

“We have been a proud supporter of this community since 2002, and as we prepare to support our employees through this transition, we ask that our fellow employers in the area contact us with available job opportunities for our employees,” the release indicated.

Perry County Development Corp., which oversees much of the effort to maintain and acquire new business for the community, plans to assist the displaced employees in any way possible, which could include coordination with the state for education grants as well as with WorkOne employment services office. However, PCDC has said it isn’t ready to let Startek go. According to PCDC President Lee Chestnut, the company represents a sizable portion of the local job force and is in talks with STARTEK corporate offices to try and retain the positions.

“We’re trying everything we can to keep them here,” Chestnut said.

But as of print time, all signs point to a closing.

A call placed to STARTEK’s Tell City location was not received as the local phone number had been disconnected.