For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 18, 2003

For More Information: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301

Synergy Solutions Announces Expansion to Milbank

            Pierre – Synergy Solutions, an outbound and inbound teleservices company headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, is expanding to Milbank, according to Toby Morris, director of business and community development, Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

            “This is great news for the community of Milbank and former BER employees,” Morris said.  “It is especially good news when a quality company like Synergy comes into a community following a business closing.”

            The company will be moving into the space vacated earlier this year by BER in the Milbank Insurance building.  Company officials expect to begin interviewing the end of December.  

            “The Milbank center was chosen from among several other cities for many reasons,” said Lori Fentem, president, Synergy Solutions.  “We had worked with the team in Milbank before and had always been impressed with their outstanding performance and quality.  The people of Milbank have demonstrated a commitment to ethical Teleservices and we are thrilled to be able to save jobs in this community.  In addition, it was a relatively turnkey operation where we could bring in some of our own technology and be up and running quickly.  The speed with which we could launch operations in Milbank was critical as we had several clients who wanted us to increase our capacity to provide additional services.”

            Up to 130 employees will be needed for the operation with 65 working a day shift and 65 on the night shift.  Former BER employees will be given a preference in the hiring process.

            “Milbank is fortunate to have a company of this quality choose us for their expansion,” said George Smith, executive director, Grant County Development Corporation.  “They are a nationwide firm, spanning the country from Arizona to New York, with more than 1,000 employees.  We look forward to a long, productive and profitable relationship for both Synergy and our community.”

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