Business expansion to create 155 new jobs in Columbus. Here’s what you need to know

First Credit Services, which manages call center operations for other businesses, announced Tuesday it will be expanding its Columbus location by adding 155 jobs and investing $2 million by purchasing and renovating a new building.

The announcement was made at the board meeting of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

The company currently staffs 30 local employees, with 400 total located across the country and in India. They provide outsourcing services including credit card decline management, early stage collections and late stage collections.

The jobs include positions in customer service and operations, which First Credit Services CEO Raj Chhabria says will be perfect for military spouses or those whose family members have been stationed at nearby Fort Benning.

“We are excited to expand our presence in Columbus and provide additional jobs to American workers and in particular, service men and women, their families, and the communities that support them,” Chhabria said.

Chhabria said that retaining employees is one of the biggest challenges for his business, and after scouting different locations across the country, he was happy to say the company had decided to expand in Columbus.

“People are wanting to work, I think we always say the best ability is the availability,” Chhabria said.

The company is currently located on 12th Street in The Corporate Center, and will be moving to a recently-purchased larger space on Cross Country Drive, in the Goodwill Industries Southern Rivers campus in midtown. The space is estimated to be ready by April 2020.

“It’s a great day for Columbus and a great day for 155 people that are going to have jobs that wouldn’t have had them yesterday, so we’re excited about the announcement,” said Russ Carreker, chairman of the Development Authority of Columbus.

This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 9:35 AM.