Call center in San Luis, Arizona to close by August

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) - A call center is closing in San Luis, Arizona.

This will leave hundreds of locals without a job.

We spoke to the city mayor, who shares what's next and how this could also impact the city's budget.

On May 1, Advanced Call Center Technology, better known as ACT, notified Mayor Nieves Riedel they plan on closing by this summer.

The City of San Luis acquired the building in 2008, specifically to bring the call center to town.

ACT's lease agreement was not enough to pay the mortgage loan, so the city was paying the rest.

“Not only the City of San Luis will be left holding them back. On a building that they acquired specifically to bring this company to town, we’re losing 232 jobs - that’s the tragedy that I see," said Mayor Riedel.

Mayor Riedel says the call center is starting to work with its employees to make the shutdown process a little easier to handle.

"They are dealing with these 232 people, they are going to the system for unemployment benefits and training," explained Mayor Riedel.

Mayor Riedel says the City is already looking for new a new company that could occupy the building.

“Right now we have two very good leads and the economic department of the city of san Luis is working to try to find a new tenant it’s going to be hard," said Mayor Riedel.

Advanced Call Center serves several companies including Bank of America and Direct-TV.

The closure will begin in July and the center should be fully closed by August.