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Governor’s Office of Economic Development
711 E. Wells Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2007
CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301
Coventry Health Care Adding 200 Jobs in Aberdeen
PIERRE, S.D. –Coventry Health Care, Inc. today announced it will expand its Aberdeen service center, eventually adding 200 new full time positions.
“We are pleased that our continued membership growth as a national health insurance company has resulted in the need for additional workforce in Aberdeen beyond our current 70 employees. State and local leaders were instrumental in helping us expand our center,” said Coventry’s Vice President of Operations Joe Harris.
“Today’s announcement is proof that Aberdeen’s workforce stands out on the national stage,” said Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard who spoke at the announcement. “This company could have chosen to expand in any of its divisions across the country, but they recognized that Aberdeen offered the workforce and strong community spirit that benefits the bottom line.”
The Coventry site in Aberdeen was previously a service center for Mutual of Omaha. This business was sold to Coventry Health Care earlier this year. Community leaders are pleased that not only were 60-70 jobs retained, but more will be created.
“As we continue to add career opportunities for people in the Aberdeen area, the quality of a company is even more important than the number of jobs produced or any short-term economic boost. Those of us working to GROW Aberdeen do so because we want our friends and neighbors and all newcomers to have access to work that not only pays the bills, but also creates choices for career opportunities. Coventry Health Care represents such an opportunity and it is an honor for me to be asked to help welcome the company to Aberdeen,” said Mayor Mike Levsen.
“When business changes hands, local communities immediately begin to be concerned about what that means for its specific division. In this instance, it turned out very well for Aberdeen. That is a testament to our workforce, and our ability to show corporate leaders that we’re the best home for its continued growth,” said Jim Barringer, Executive Vice President of the Aberdeen Development Corporation.
About Coventry
Coventry Health Care (www.cvty.com) is a diversified national managed healthcare company based in Bethesda, Md. It operates health plans, insurance companies, network rental and workers’ compensation services companies. Through its Commercial, Individual & Government, and Specialty Business divisions, Coventry provides a full range of risk and fee-based managed care products and services to a broad cross section of individuals, employer and government-funded groups, government agencies, and other insurance carriers and administrators.
About Aberdeen Development Corporation
The Aberdeen Development Corporation (www.adcsd.com) of Aberdeen, South Dakota, is a full-service community development corporation with a 50-year history, focusing on new business recruitment, local expansion and start-ups. The Aberdeen Development Corporation does this by designing, building, and leasing industrial and office facilities with the help of state and local incentives.
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