Oct 18, 2011 -- ProService plans to hire up to 100 people within two years. ProService, a new Meridian company providing customer support, started taking calls Monday with a staff of about 13 in the former MWI Veterinary Supply offices at 651 S. Stratford Drive.

The company was created by Balsam Brands, a California company whose flagship Balsam Hill brand is an online retailer of high-end artificial Christmas trees and related home decor products. But ProService is a separate company. ProService considered many other cities including Reno, Portland and Salt Lake City before deciding on Meridian because of the region’s work force, a low cost of doing business and access to necessary support services, said spokeswoman Gianna Driver.

ProService’s main client is Balsam Hill, but the company will serve other clients too, Driver said.

The Boise Valley Economic Partnership, the City of Meridian, the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho Department of Labor and Colliers International worked together to bring ProService to Meridian.

"BVEP’s assistance in differentiating Boise from other cities and attracting ProService to our area was invaluable," said Karen Warner of Boise’s Colliers International, who represented ProService in its lease transaction.

Up to 20 jobs will be permanent, with the rest depending on season and client demand, Driver said. Entry-level jobs will begin at $10 an hour. Management positions will pay in the $50,000-a-year range. The company said it will provide health care and other benefits for full-time employees.

ProService plans to take advantage of state incentives, including workforce development training funds through the Idaho Department of Labor.

Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: http://www.idahostatesman.com

Date Posted: Friday, October 21, 2011