BATHURST (CNB) – The provincial government is investing $1.5 million to assist Aditya Birla Minacs (Minacs) in establishing a customer contact centre in Bathurst, creating 200 full-time positions.

"Fostering strategic employment growth and providing development capital support are action items in our plan for economic development and innovation in northern New Brunswick," said Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud. "Our government is committed to creating an environment suitable for developing new opportunities in Bathurst and the Chaleur region."

The provincial government is providing $1.2-million in payroll rebates to create 200 new positions. The Regional Development Corporation is providing $300,000 to assist in capital expenditures to establish the centre.

"New Brunswick has the necessary infrastructure and low business costs to support the growth that the contact centre industry requires," said Robichaud. "We are also home to a loyal, highly educated and bilingual workforce. All of these factors combined make New Brunswick an attractive location for new and existing businesses."

The company currently has 600 full-time employees in its contact centre Riverview.

"We thank the Government of New Brunswick for its support in helping us achieve our vision for growing our business in this province," said Scott Shafer, executive vice-president of business development for Minacs. "Minacs has a long history of successfully operating in the Maritimes and we expect that Bathurst will become a very important location for Minacs. We look forward to becoming more involved in the local community in Bathurst and to exploring further expansions in New Brunswick."

Minacs is a business solutions company that partners with global corporations in the manufacturing, retail, telecom, technology, media and entertainment, banking, insurance, healthcare and public sectors.

15-11-11