Editorial

NARS celebrates

Friday, September 7, 2007

When Cape Girardeau native Chris Buehrle first considered his hometown as a location for one of his call-center operations, he wasn't sure the community could meet the demand for hundreds of employees. Cooperatively, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET, Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Mineral Area College, Southeast Missouri State University and state economic development agencies put together the resources to provide National Asset Recovery Services with what it needed, including a job fair where 900 prospective employees showed up. Buehrle was convinced.

In the year since then, NARS has hired 400 full- and part-time employees and expects to have more than 500 by the end of the year. As promised, NARS offers workers on-site amenities in a renovated portion of the old Sears building on William Street such as an exercise room. A day-care center is expected to open soon.

The community's effort to work with NARS was recognized last week as the Governor's Community Project of the Year at the annual Governor's Economic Development Conference in Springfield, Mo. Today, NARS is throwing a bash of its own to thank the community, concluding with fireworks tonight on the Mississippi River that will no doubt enliven the opening of the River City Music Festival in the downtown area.

The community made a major commitment to NARS, and NARS made a major commitment to the community and its employees. Those commitments have been kept, and the area is benefiting economically as a result.

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What's the deal with the Missourian and NARS? Is Buehrle related to the Rusts or something? Why so much press for NARS? What's going on here?

-- Posted by QT-PIE on Fri, Sep 7, 2007, at 7:44 AM
I agree with QT-Pie - What is the attraction with NARS and the Missourian (4 articles in one week). There are other employers in and around Cape Girardeau that employee 400+ employees and pay much more than the praised $8.50/hr of NARS. Where would this area be without P&G, Southeast Hospital, St Francis Hospital, Southeast University, and the other wonderful employers in the area? Good grief the City of Cape has more than 400 employees and look what they have done for our community -police, fire, utilities and even the recycling and trash pickup! I would much rather read stories about them!

HMMMM - Nars can afford $15,000 for fireworks for downtown, but we had to give them how much in tax credits to get them to move to town. I would much rather see the $15,000 go to the Parks and Rec

- sparkling water in a revamped swimming pool vs. sparkles in the sky for 10 minutes!

-- Posted by Katherine Elfrink on Fri, Sep 7, 2007, at 8:59 AM
I agree with both of you all. What is so great about NARS? Whats so great about fireworks? They should save the money and give to their employees or to the city.

-- Posted by cowgirl on Fri, Sep 7, 2007, at 9:52 AM
why is everyone so quick to judge NARS? Yes they only start at 8.50 per hour. It only makes since to me. Call Centers have a high turn over rate so why pay big bucks to people who aren't going to last. Many people are not cut out for call centers. This is a new company in cape girardeau and there are many opportunities for advancement which of course results in pay raises and they have many great employee benefits. Customer Service Reps get 3 raises within the first year plus you can get great bonuses and the insurance at NARS is better than I've ever had anywhere else. Don't knock it if you dont really know what this company is about and what it does provide for its employees.

-- Posted by MM421 on Mon, Sep 10, 2007, at 11:23 PM
AKA0004 I did work there and yes I can knock it if I want to.

-- Posted by cowgirl on Tue, Sep 11, 2007, at 4:17 PM
Well Cowgirl Sorry you didnt stay. I don't really understand the hateful statement "yes I can knock it if I want to." It comes off as a bad attitude and immature. Many people that start working at Nars have these same issues and thats why they quit. There really are many advancement opportunities with Nars. Myself and many of the people that started with me have been promoted. Many people think you can just walk in and get promoted but it doesn't work that way. If you are doing exactly what you are suppose to on your calls and have good attendance and a great attitude you will stand out. It's crazy how many people call in every day. I agree that being on the phones with upset customers can put a lot of stress on you. I had my bad days too, but I've enjoyed the prizes I've won and my bonuses and raises. Anyway, you can say what you want about NARS. It's a new company and things are changing everday to benefit the employees. I have been successful at NARS and its paying off for me. Nars may have not been the job for you but good luck to you and your future. I hope you have found a job that you enjoy.

-- Posted by MM421 on Sat, Sep 15, 2007, at 12:38 AM

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