BRITTON, S.D. – More businesses and jobs are coming to town, thanks to the combined efforts of Gov. Mike Rounds, the Britton Economic Development Corporation, Mayor Bill Deutsch, city council, and local businesses. Today, Link It Software, a California-based high-tech firm, announced the opening of its fifth business-to-business call center in the state – in Britton.

 

“We are delighted to see Link It Software increase its presence in South Dakota. When a proven, corporate citizen can bring businesses and jobs into the state – in spite of difficult economic times – we couldn’t be happier,” Gov. Rounds said. “This announcement is another example of how IT companies and smaller communities can collaborate and strike a deal that is mutually beneficial.”

 

Tom Farber, president of the Britton Economic Development Corporation, gives full credit to Scott Amundson of Glacial Lakes Area Development (GLAD). “We started this process in February after getting word from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, but Link It chose Eureka,” Farber says. “A while later, Scott got wind of another opportunity with Link It, and checked into it again. A few days later, we had a meeting with Link It in Britton.”

 

From there, events moved quickly. “We met with Link It on a Tuesday,” Farber says. “That Friday, we had a meeting with as many people as we could get – all the decision-makers were there.”

 

Farber also credits the support of the Britton Economic Development Board, which oversees the city’s loan fund. “They really got behind the project, and gave it the impetus to move forward quickly,” Farber says.

 

“Our mission is to help secure funds to start up businesses,” says Brian Freeman, city councilmember and representative on the Britton Economic Development Board. “Of course, with the economic times we’re in, any time we have an opportunity to bring a business in, we’re going to do whatever we can to make it happen.”

 

The entire Britton business community pulled together to keep things moving forward. For example, Drew Frederickson, manager of Britton-based Precision Wall Systems, consolidated his offices to provide space for the new Link It call center to be built. “We had the space,” Frederickson says, “and we decided to try to use it to help bring a new business into town.”

 

“All our partners really stepped up to make this a reality,” says Scott Amundson, executive director of GLAD. “We are very excited to have such a solid and reputable company coming to our community and filling a niche for jobs in the field of high-tech telecommunications.”

 

“This is definitely a good thing for the city of Britton, says Britton Mayor Bill Deutsch. “Any time a business is looking to come in, we’ll do whatever it takes to keep things rolling.”

 

Wayne McFarland, CEO of Link It Software, credits the local people. “We were extraordinarily impressed with the persistence and spectacular presentation shown by the city of Britton,” he says. “The community development people did a fantastic job. The support of the community is essential for our call center to succeed, and they certainly demonstrated that. There’s a lot of community pride in Britton – and a lot to be proud of.”

 

Link It currently employs more than 50 people in its South Dakota call centers. The call centers handle business-to-business customers only, so there’s no calling people at home. Many of Link It’s call center customers are in the high-tech industry. The call center announces products, develops qualified sales leads, and handles inbound customer service calls.

 

The Britton-based Link It Software call center will be open and operational in the next 60-90 days, with seven employees. Projected growth targets have it employing up to 30 people before long.

 

For more information on Link It Software’s products, visit www.linkitsoftware.com. Job applications are currently being accepted for supervisor, sales, and call center positions. Applications can be emailed to brittonjobs@linkitsoftware.com.

 

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