NE: Apogee Retail Expanding in Columbus, to Create 100 New Jobs

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Gov. Dave Heineman recently awarded $505,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the city of Columbus to help Apogee Retail LLC in the update and expansion of call center operations. The project will result in 100 new full-time positions.

The grant will provide $500,000 to help Apogee Retail purchase software and invest in equipment and renovation of the former Walmart property at 3620 23rd Street. The remaining $5,000 will be available to the City of Columbus for administrative costs. The total project cost is $1,300,824, which includes an investment of company funds and a loan from the city.

Apogee Retail established call center operations in Columbus in April, 2008. They hired managers later that year with calling services beginning in September, 2008. The company currently employs 572 full and part-time individuals with a priority on hiring people with disabilities.

This non-profit partners with charities for the scheduling and pick-up of donated clothing and household goods. They currently serve nine charities and are growing. They also provide calling services to eight states and conduct calls for their own chain of 250 U.S. and Canadian retail thrift stores.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the state's CDBG program. Federal funds are made available to Nebraska from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's CDBG program, which assists with the development of businesses and communities throughout the state.