PR - Collection Call Center Project Wins Governor?s Award

The NARS Call Center Project was named the Missouri Governor’s Community Project of the Year at the annual Governor’s Economic Development Conference held in Springfield, Mo. Community leaders, including NARS President and CEO Chris Buehrle, attended the breakfast ceremony where the annual awards were presented. A two minute video gave the highlights of the project including the Southeast Missourian Job Fair and the weekly reports by KFVS -12, both of which created a tremendous interest by job seekers and solidified NARS’ decision to select Cape Girardeau.

The Governor’s Community Project of the Year is given annually to one community that shows a unique or innovative method of overcoming obstacles to create a successful result. National Asset Recovery Services, Inc. (NARS) is a St. Louis-based BPO and ARM company that provides solutions for the entire customer lifecycle, including customer acquisition, activation, service , retention, and recovery. The company started hiring in December of 2006 and presently has over 400 employees in their newly remodeled facility in the former Sears building located in the Town Plaza shopping center.

NARS President and CEO Chris Buehrle said “I was honored to take part in today’s ceremony. Our decision to come to Cape has been reinforced by the quality of our new employees and the way the city has made us feel welcome.”

Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson was pleased to be part of the award ceremony representing the City of Cape Girardeau. “This award only shows to the State of Missouri that the Cape Girardeau area can meet the needs of any type of industrial or job creation project. The NARS project is a prime example of the team work we have in our community. I was proud to receive this award on behalf of the area.”

“This was a very unique project for the community due to the active role of KFVS 12’s Kathy Sweeney and her series of news reports concerning the project. Their assistance and the active marketing of the SE Missourian Job Fair by the Southeast Missourian created an overwhelming response by area jobs seekers for NARS as well as many of the other companies taking part in the job fair,” said MAGNET Executive Director Mitch Robinson.

Cape Girardeau Area Chamber President John Mehner also attended and remarked “these are the type of projects where the community can take an active, public role in economic development. The Chamber was pleased to be part of the team.”