Verizon Call Center Closings Could Boost Little Rock Operations

Verizon Wireless announced the closure of three major call centers in the U.S. late last week, a move that could bring benefits to Arkansas’ Verizon operations.

The call centers being closed are in Bellevue, Wash., Houston, Texas, and Southfield, Mich. In all nearly 2,600 employees are expected to be affected.

In addition to the closings, Verizon said it would consolidate operations at two California call centers and merge its nationwide Internet Response-Chat Team into two locations in Ohio and Illinois.

Ginger Daril, spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless in Arkansas, said the company’s Little Rock regional headquarters could definitely benefit from the consolidation announcement, but exact figures aren’t known at this time.

“We value these highly-skilled employees and we are encouraging them to stay with the company and to continue their careers with us,” said Daril. “The Little Rock call center has a number of openings and is seeing a response from employees in other regions. We are also providing employees who relocate a relocation benefit of $10,000 in after-tax dollars.”

Little Rock has a substantial call center facility boosted by a recent $30 million campus renovation.