Northern Nevada's economic recovery is slow but it's steady. Just today Blackhawk Network announced it's bringing three of its national divisions to Reno. They are hiring 80 folks in the next month and plan to make that 130 over the course of the next few years.
"We are trying to position ourselves as a place for up and coming professionals and Reno has a lot to offer towards that," said Reno Councilwoman Sharon Zadra. "This is exactly the kind of company we need here."
Blackhawk Network sets up displays of national gift cards for vendors nationwide. The division here will also service those customers and anyone who has any problems with gift cards.
"It's more than a call center," said EDAWN DEO Mike Kazmierski. "It will also offer I.T. support and other services. These are good paying jobs and they are hiring locals for the positions."
"The available workforce here with the university and the proximity to California were big in our decision. We started off looking at 40 cities across the country and it came to Reno. Plus, the business climate for this state is a real draw for us too," said Blackhawk Network CFO Jerry Ulrich.
About 100 local business folks gathered at their new facility on Professional Circle in south Reno for today's ribbon cutting. And they say they see this as a continuing trend.
"This is the kind of business that will help us attract another business and another one and another one. We're proud to have them here," said Reno Mayor Bob Cashell.
In fact, EDAWN officials say they do expect to be making several more relocation announcements in the next few weeks.
And for more information on Blackhawk, go to http://www.blackhawknetwork.com/
Written by Erin Breen
