CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A financial services company is adding 1,000 new jobs in Charlotte over the next five years.
The starting salary at Zenta, which specializes in mortgages, is in the $40,000 to $50,000 range.
"This is a red letter day for us," Gov. Beverly Perdue said Tuesday during the announcement.
Quality of life and quality of the workforce are the reasons why the company is expanding, according to CEO Henry Hortenstine. The rush on refinanced mortgages in tough times prompted the decision.
"We have work for these people," Hortenstine said. "It's not hire it, build it and they will come. We have the work."
Zenta plans to invest $2 million in new technology and more space.
The company is currently located on Forest Point Boulevard and already has approximately 250 employees in Charlotte.
Elias Hondros, owner of the Big Apple Deli down the street, says he's happy that jobs are coming to the area. He's tired of watching his business suffer as other businesses around him close. Now, he could have 1,000 new customers needing lunch.
"It's helping stay in business for sure -- keep business up and at least keep it steady," Hondros said.
North Carolina beat out South Carolina for the expansion. North Carolina is giving Zenta an $8.5 million workforce grant as incentive to expand.
That beat South Carolina's offer, but no one would go into details about the state's offer.
Zenta is already recruiting and plans to start hiring after the New Year.
"As these banks have run into difficulties and laid people off and other mortgage lenders were centered here and laid people off, there's a workforce here that's already done," Hortenstine said. "We need to train them to do things our way, but they come with requisite skills."
The announcement comes a week after Electrolux committed to move its North American headquarters to Charlotte, bringing nearly 740 jobs with it.
Earlier this year, Premier Healthcare announced it would move its corporate headquarters from San Diego to Charlotte, adding 300 new jobs.
State unemployment numbers show that Mecklenburg County has lost about 26,000 jobs in the last two years.
For more information about Zenta, visit http://www.zenta.com/. Jobseekers should contact recruiter@zenta.com.
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