NORMAN, Okla. (OBV) – A Philadelphia-based call center technology company is becoming the city of Norman’s largest private sector employer by expanding its Oklahoma operations with hundreds of new jobs.
Advanced Call Center Technologies (ACT) officials announced that they are adding 800 jobs to its technology center in Norman.
“ACT’s substantial expansion in Norman is a testament to the work ethic of Oklahomans,” said Susan Parker, ACT’s chief operating officer. “When we converted to an employee-owned company two years ago, we couldn’t have anticipated the dramatic increase in productivity and growth that would occur. Solid wages, great culture, and personal growth opportunities obviously resonated well within Norman and Cleveland County.”
The Philadelphia company opened the Norman location two years ago with a pledge to create 700 jobs in Cleveland County. ACT will become Norman’s largest privately-owned employer after it increases its workforce to 1,500 workers, according to Oklahoma Department of Commerce officials.
“We could not be happier about the success that ACT has experienced in Norman,” said Lawrence McKinney, Norman Economic Development Coalition (NEDC) president and chief executive. “This is a testament to the collaborative efforts of business leaders and public officials, including Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Department of Commerce.”
Stitt praised ACT’s contribution to growing Cleveland County’s workforce.
“It is exciting to see so much success in Cleveland County. Less than two weeks ago, Norman and Cleveland County announced the new Start-Up 405 business incubator facility and an innovative program to grow dozens of new businesses,” Stitt said. “Businesses have the upper hand when they locate to or expand in Oklahoma, especially in Cleveland County. It’s exciting to see the work that the Norman Economic Development Coalition and Cleveland County are doing — it’s benefiting every Oklahoman. I’m glad to see ACT expanding their footprint in Oklahoma, and I’m proud of the Cleveland County community for putting in the work to make our state the best in the nation to do business.”
ACT is located at 2701 Technology Place in the NEDC-owned Norman Business Park, one of multiple ACT offices across the globe.
Norman has a business-friendly ecosystem that is on the rise thanks to key stakeholders, such as NEDC, according to Hopper Smith, Department of Commerce executive director.
“Commerce applauds the unprecedented job growth that ACT has experienced since establishing operations in Norman in 2022, and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to Norman and the state of Oklahoma.”
ACT was established in 1997 and has international offices. It offers a range of services, including multi-channel customer service support in eight languages, fraud and dispute management and claim processing to clients primarily in the financial sector.
The company has over 10,000 employees with offices in Montego Bay, Jamaica; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Douglas, Ariz.; Carmichael, Calif.; Junction City, Kan.; Harlingen, Texas; Johnson City, Tenn.; Logan, Utah, and Norman.
“Cleveland County is at the forefront of my efforts to make Oklahoma a top 10 state for business,” Smith said. “The Cleveland County partnerships that the Norman Economic Development Coalition is establishing with other cities will uplift business in Cleveland County. Everybody knows the county is on the rise, and I’m excited to see Oklahomans benefiting from their bold work.”
ACT’s growth in Norman is not surprising, said Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila.
“Susan and her team are witness to what we’ve known for a long time,” he said. “Norman is the crown jewel of Oklahoma.”
Cleveland County Commission Chairman Rod Cleveland thanked ACT for giving Cleveland County more jobs.
“Economic Development is a team effort and requires everyone to work together. The Cleveland County Commission is pleased to work with the Coalition, the state, the regional partnership, and all our cities to ensure good paying jobs are available,” Cleveland said. “A thriving economy doesn’t just happen; it requires a concerted effort with a government that is responsive and supportive.”
