Knology Expands in Augusta, More Jobs Up For Grabs

Augusta, GA—Construction has begun on the new Knology building on Wheeler Road. Thursday, company and city officials gathered to launch the project.

Zenobia Chavous is one of the managers of the new call center.

Zenobia Chavous, Augusta, GA: “The entire project is a labor of love, and one that we hope, by the end of the year, we can all enjoy.”

Knology has been in Augusta for 11 years. Company CEO Rodger Johnson says about a 100 jobs will be added by the end of the year.

Rodger Johnson, CEO., Knology: “Ultimately, we will have about 400 people in this organization. We already have roughly 300 folks.”

Construction started eight weeks ago.

Knology decided to build it here, rather than other places that wanted it, like South Dakota.

Johnson: “We like the workforce and we like the history we have had with the community here.”

County leaders say this expansion was also made possible by Augusta taxpayers.

Money from the special purpose local option sales tax, or S.P.L.O.S.T., was used to help build infrastructure to the site, sealing the deal.

Walter Sprouse, Development Authority of Richmond County: “We were able to use about $80,000 of S.P.L.O.S.T money that was approved by the voters, several years ago, specifically for the creation of jobs.”

Sprouse says Augusta is attracting a number of call center jobs like Knology, in part, because of the military.

Sprouse: “We do have: number 1, a good work force; number two, we do have that influence of Fort Gordon. Fort Gordon is information technology center of the entire military.”