The Covington County Economic Development Commission is working to get the message to Sitel’s parent company that local employees are very much interested in their work-at-home program, and local organizations are willing to facilitate those jobs.

Rick Clifton, executive director of CCEDC, told the Andalusia City Council this week that local manager Brandy Miller says there are more than 100 current Sitel employees interested in the work at home program.

The company announced in December its plans to close the local call center in April, but also encouraged associates to apply for its work-at-home program. Because there are strict requirements for the setting – including high speed internet access not available in some parts of the county – there has been interest in provided cubicle work space for those employees. Local businessman Don Cotton floated the idea last week on social media, and got great response.

“We have put those who are interested in contact with Internet providers,” Clifton said. “But what we’ve talked about is trying to find a location where they could come in, bring a computer, and set up.”

Clifton said he is working to make connections with the parent company to communicate that willingness.

Sitel’s plans to close in April will impact not just Andalusia, but the region, he said.

“They were bringing people in – a fourth of their people were from Conecuh County,” he said. “You had people that were industrious enough to drive from Evergreen to come over here to work.”

What is not yet clear is what the company plans to do with its building. Originally designed as a 600-seat facility, there are at present 329 employees. Clifton said he hopes CCEDC can get the building, as other companies have recently expressed interest in placing a call center here.

“If we can get them to turn it over, we feel very confident get somebody in there,” he said.