Lowe’s Announces New Plans for Customer Support Center

Lowe’s Announces New Plans for Customer Support Center

Albuquerque location expected to create 600 jobs by 2013

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lowe’s announced plans today for a new Customer Support Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The center is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2012 and is estimated to create 250 jobs by March and a total of 600 jobs by the end of 2013.

Lowe’s plans to invest more than $15 million to renovate leased space in a 65,000 square-foot building at 6301 Jefferson Avenue, NE. The new center will provide multiple support functions for Lowe’s, including customer care, store support, internet sales support and repair services for customers and will complement the company’s existing Customer Support Center located in Wilkesboro, N.C.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez joined Lowe’s and representatives of Bernalillo County, the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Economic Development Inc. to make the announcement at Albuquerque Economic Development’s Quarterly Investors’ Luncheon.

“We chose Albuquerque because of the talented and experienced workforce and availability of a suitable building to house our operations,” said Don Easterling, Lowe’s vice president, contact center. “Albuquerque’s location in the Mountain Time Zone offers an ideal complement to our Customer Support Center in North Carolina. The support of state and local officials made this a win-win project.”

In making the announcement, Gov. Martinez said, “Lowe's is a welcome addition to the New Mexico business community and we are pleased that they have decided to establish a significant presence in Albuquerque. This project has been an important priority for my administration and I have met personally with their representatives in order to see it through. I’m proud that we are able to welcome another major employer to New Mexico and continue our efforts to put New Mexicans back to work.”

Bernalillo County Chair Maggie Hart Stebbins noted, “We were pleased to play a key role in bringing Lowe’s to Albuquerque. It’s no secret that economic development is one of the County Commission’s top priorities, and we’re doing everything we can to help get people back to work. Lowe’s has a very good reputation, and they are strong partners in the communities where they operate. We look forward to a long and positive relationship.”

Albuquerque Mayor RJ Berry said, “It says a lot about our community that Lowe’s selected Albuquerque out of the many locations that they studied. It was my pleasure to meet with the folks from Lowe’s early on in this process, and I want to express my thanks to all of our partners at the State, the County, Albuquerque Economic Development and others who helped bring hundreds of quality jobs to our community.”

AED Chairman Jeff Parker said, “Lowe’s expansion to Albuquerque reinforces New Mexico as a leader in the service industry. This facility will provide outstanding opportunities to the New Mexico workforce. This is an important project from an excellent company whose investment and jobs will boost the area. Lowe’s will thrive here, and their decision and investment help us to do the same.”

Lowe’s is accepting applications to begin staffing its operations immediately. Open positions are being posted and applications accepted online at www.lowes.com/careers

In addition to announcing the new Customer Support Center, Lowe’s and its six Albuquerque-area stores donated $10,000 gift cards to two non-profit community organizations, Roadrunner Food Bank and the YWCA Henderson House.

Lowe’s Public Relations
Karen Cobb, 704-758-3504
[email protected]
or
Office of the Governor
Scott Darnell, 505-819-1398
[email protected]
or
Bernalillo County
Tia Bland, 505-468-7246
[email protected]
or
City of Albuquerque
Dayna G. Gardner, Director of Communications
505-768-3000
Cell: 505-414-3438
[email protected]
or
Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc.
Gary Tonjes, 505-246-6202
[email protected]

Source: Lowe’s