Advanced Call Center Technologies, or ACT, announced on Tuesday that it is expanding its Oklahoma division to create over 800 new jobs for Norman residents.
The Norman ACT location, at 2701 Technology Place, is one of several ACT offices worldwide. The company established its location here two years ago. Since then, it has created two additional shifts and established ACT as Norman’s largest private-sector employer, with approximately 1500 employees.
Lawrence McKinney, president and CEO of the Norman Economic Development Coalition, said the expansion will create hundreds of indirect jobs for the city of Norman, with a total impact of about 2,587 jobs and a payroll of approximately $90 million.
“Essentially, we've got 1500 jobs direct, plus some induced, and about a $350 million impact because ACT chose this location,” McKinney said.
McKinney said city, council, and state leadership should look to diversify Norman’s economy with private sector investments.
“The “who” are our partners, people, and organizations that trust and align in our desire to grow the local estate economy,” McKinney said.
According to a press release, ACT provides multi-channel customer services, including fraud, dispute management, and claim processing to clients in the financial sector. The company is internationally recognized and offers customer service support in eight languages.
Susan Parker, ACT’s chief operating officer, said the new positions will include benefits such as healthcare, annual company stock, a hybrid work site, and an app that allows employees to access the pay they earned yesterday.
“We try to find things that are appealing to our employees,” Parker said. “We have employee stock option programs, so all of our employees get stock annually at no charge to them.”
Mayor Larry Heikkila hopes OU graduates will consider working at ACT after graduation. “We need to have good jobs,” Heikkila said. “I'm sure you figured out by now that it shouldn't take $18-20 an hour to live by after college.”
According to a press release, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement saying how exciting it is to see so much success in Cleveland County. Stitt was originally scheduled to attend the event, but instead visited Marietta to survey tornado damage.
Stitt said the announcement of 800 additional jobs underscores Oklahoma’s' commitment to success. City and state officials alike seek to see Oklahoma grow and prosper.
“Make no mistake, this expansion isn't just about size or growth. It's about creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to thrive, build careers, and contribute to something greater than themselves. Each position represents not just a job but a chance for someone to make a difference pursuing their passions and shaping the future with us,” McKinney said at Tuesday’s press conference.
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Ismael Lele.
