Former Sykes property. Photo courtesy Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority
Amid record-breaking unemployment claims filed during the pandemic, the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) will relocate and expand its Buchanan County customer service call center, adding up to 110 jobs, the agency announced Friday.
The need for relocation and extra space began last year as more VEC employees responded to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new building will be located in the Southern Gap region of the county in the former Sykes Enterprises call center building. The VEC expects to move in March.
“VEC has been a key partner in our region for many years and Buchanan County and VCEDA were involved in VEC’s initial location to the county around 20 years ago,” Jonathan Belcher, executive director and general counsel to the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, said in a statement. “When we became aware of VEC’s need for additional capacity, Buchanan County and VCEDA reached out to VEC to propose the larger facility at Southern Gap and that VEC expand its workforce in the region.”
