SYDNEY RIVER — ServiCom Canada Ltd.’s call centre here will create 50 new jobs by the fall and 175 in five years, with government’s help, company officials announced Monday.

Premier Rodney MacDonald was on hand for the announcement and said Nova Scotia Business Inc. will provide the American firm $914,400 through payroll tax rebates over the same time period.

"We’re very proud to make an investment . . . that’s based on the number of jobs created," the premier said.

"If the jobs are created, then it will kick in, and if the jobs are not, then obviously it wouldn’t."

The injection of government cash is expected to trigger 50 per cent growth at the firm’s lone Canadian operation, and allow the company to shift from outbound sales to handling both outbound and inbound calls involving sales, client surveys or technical support for various Fortune 500 companies.

The new jobs at ServiCom are expected to pay $9 to $14 an hour, with performance bonuses. There are now 285 staff on the payroll.

Mr. MacDonald said the Cape Breton market could sustain more call centre jobs.

"We still have a lot of people looking for work, have a lot of people who want to come home for work, and when you’re creating more opportunity, that’s a good thing."

ServiCom Canada Ltd. is a subsidiary of JNET Communications, a company established in 2003, with operations in Texas, Illinois and New Jersey. Its Sydney River location opened eight years ago and clients include General Motors, AT&T and Jackson Hewitt, a big tax preparation service provider in the United States...

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