By REBEKAH PRICE
STAR STAFF
rebekah.price@elizabethton.com
Before long, Carter and Washington County residents will have access to 481 new jobs.
Anthony Royer, President and CEO of Allied Dispatch Solutions, along with Washington County Economic Development Chairman Tommy Burleson, announced the company’s decision to expand in Carter County and relocate its international headquarters to Johnson City.
“We are making a significant investment, probably one of the largest investments in downtown Johnson City, by bringing our corporate headquarters there,” said Royer.
Royer said the company is interested in establishing its headquarters in the Kress building, located at 243 E. Main St. in downtown Johnson City, in the next 12 to 18 months. That location is currently occupied by Main Street Antiques and Mercantile.
They also expect to fill 75 full-time positions, including executive staff, at that location, Royers said.
Officials predict the Carter County company’s expansion on Borla Drive, just off South Roan Street, will have a positive economic impact of $4.8 million locally. Allied Dispatch Solutions is one of the nation’s largest roadside service companies, and its expansion is estimated to be the largest existing-business expansion in Carter County history.
“This is certainly great news for Carter County and surrounding areas,” said Representative John Holsclaw. “We are all truly thankful to Allied for making this important commitment to our state, and I offer my full support to ensure this expansion goes as smoothly as possible.”
The company began operations in Carter County with 60 employees and later grew to force of 300 at the Borla Commerce Park.
“We’re excited when we think about where we started,” said Royer.
One year ago, the company began its first training class at Borla, and on October 30, they will have a ribbon cutting celebrating their expansion by more than 200 employees.
In the course of the next 18 months, he said, they anticipate the addition of more than 200 jobs, but over time, he hopes this number will grow to 800.
Royer thanked Governor Bill Haslam, the Tennessee Economic Development team, the Washington County Economic Development Council and the Tennessee Valley Authority, saying that groups joined and gave Allied the confidence to pick this as their location.
Royer said they chose Tennessee over Alabama and Florida for their headquarters.
Chairman and Founder Doug Libertore and his son, Scott, had a vision that they could do something different in the roadside service industry.
The company contracts through partner companies to communicate with and assist people who are experiencing roadside emergencies.
Royer said the company has been built from the ground up and that a number of incredible employees from the Tri-Cities have advanced to executive positions in the company.
“Our directors began in this area and are leading an operation that has over 300 employees,” he said.
Hiring will happen as the company gains accounts, and Royer said payroll is currently almost $7 million.
“We would not be here if it wasn’t for this community and the quality of its employees, and now we’re prepared to give back with a large investment and by making this something that we can be a part of,” said Royer.