Verifications to purchase Watertown building, create 50 jobs

PIERRE, S.D. - Verifications Inc. plans to purchase the Watertown building it has been leasing from the Watertown Development Company, establishing Watertown as a permanent location for the growing employment screening and applicant processing service provider. State and local funding will help finance the project.

“We are pleased Verifications has made this long-term commitment to South Dakota, both in terms of the building and the job creation,” said Gov. Mike Rounds. “Verifications has been a good corporate citizen and we are hopeful this move will lead to further expansion in South Dakota down the road.”

Focus Watertown and Verifications have agreed to terms of the purchase for the 30,000-square-foot facility located in the Mallard Pointe Business Park. Included in the terms of the purchase is Verifications’ projection to hire an additional 50 employees within the next three years, including management and professional positions. They currently employ more than 150 at their Watertown location.

According to Verifications Chief Executive Officer Curtis Marks, the move is a good one for the 22-year-old company. “We are continually shaping our long-term strategies and finding a business transaction like this where it works for both parties is rare as the financial economy typically has rendered many obstacles. The Watertown community and the state of South Dakota helped us accomplish one of our long-term strategies.”

“Although renovations are not scheduled to occur in the immediate future, the company recognizes it is inevitable that it has to reconfigure the floor plan, increase the number of conference rooms, and invest in technology improvements. These renovations and investments will allow the company to maximize its functional needs and accommodate the future growth it expects.” Marks said.

“Verifications continues to be a cornerstone business for Watertown and we are so pleased they have committed to our community in this way,” said Focus Watertown President Craig Atkins. He continued to say this purchase is an ideal situation for Watertown. “Focus Watertown and the WDC construct buildings like this to attract a business just like Verifications – and the goal is always that the building will eventually be purchased,” he explained.

“I am extremely happy and excited that Verifications is purchasing the building in Mallard Pointe Business Park. It shows they are committed to Watertown, which speaks highly of our community’s work force,” said Watertown Mayor Gary Williams.

Since its founding in 1987, Verifications has proven itself as a market leader. It now serves more than 50 percent of the Fortune 100, while maintaining an industry-leading 96 percent customer retention rate.

Verifications is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and has operating facilities in Watertown, Aberdeen, and Mitchell, as well as Bismarck, N.D., and Calgary, Alberta.

Focus Watertown is a non-profit economic development organization funded by public and private investors with the mission of increasing job opportunity and the property tax base of Watertown. The associated Watertown Development Company is a non-profit organization established to own and operate buildings, lands and development areas for the economic benefit of Watertown.

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Links:

• SD Governror's Office of Economic Development
• Verifications, Inc.
• Focus Watertown 
• South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development