Infinity Resources’ Expansion Will Create 25 Full-Time and 70 Part-Time Illinois Jobs

CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to help Illinois businesses grow and create more jobs, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $250,000 in support for Infinity Resources Inc., a leader in direct marketing and e-commerce managed services, which will help the Itasca-based company locate a new contact center in Ottawa.  As part of the expansion, the company will create 25 full-time positions, plus 70 part-time positions, at its new Ottawa facility within the first two years of operation.  This business investment package comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s comprehensive economic development strategy to create jobs and spur growth in Northwest Illinois and throughout the state.

“Growing companies like Infinity Resources make strategic decisions everyday about the future of their organizations, and this is another good example of an expanding business choosing to invest and create jobs right here in Illinois.  By encouraging innovation and investment, not raising taxes and working together with emerging companies, we are creating an appealing business environment that is putting more and more people to work here in Ottawa and across the state,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

Infinity Resources Inc. (IRI), which offers distribution, contact center, catalog and e-commerce services, was founded in 2000 through the purchase of Collectors’ Choice Music and Critics’ Choice Video catalogs and Web sites.  IRI has continually expanded through acquisitions and the development and launch of several movie and music Web sites, including DeepDiscountDVD.com.  The company has grown from $9 million in its first year of sales to more than $150 million annually.  The company’s current Itasca facility is not large enough to accommodate the space needs of its contact center, and IRI is making a $1.4 million investment to expand to a center with more than 300 seats, which is now operational.  The company considered relocating to Waterloo, Iowa.  IRI’s diversified client list includes many best-in-class, industry-leading, direct marketing companies.  In addition, IRI is a world-class direct marketer, with an industry-leading presence in several business verticals.  The company employs 400 people at its Itasca, Aurora and Ottawa facilities and has additional locations in California, including multiple distribution centers, contact centers and retail stores. 

“Our decision to expand our contact center operations in Illinois was based on economics and the quality and availability of the Ottawa-area workforce.  With the support and assistance of state and local officials, the
Ottawa facility was made extremely competitive with other out-of-state locations.  Our staff and management employees, all local to the area, have proven track records and quality experience,” said Dennis Abboud, Chief Executive Officer and President of Infinity Resources, Inc.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the business investment package.  It includes Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) corporate income tax credits over the next ten years based on job creation and retention; Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) job training funds that will help enhance the skills of its workforce; and additional financial benefits, such as sales tax exemptions and tax credits for job creation and retention, resulting from the company’s location within an Enterprise Zone.

“This Opportunity Returns support for Infinity Resources is a great investment to help a growing Illinois company increase its operations and create more jobs in LaSalle County.  With the strength of our local workforce and other regional assets, Gov. Blagojevich and I look forward to Infinity’s continued growth,” State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) said.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I are excited to be working together with Infinity Resources, a successful, growing company, to relocate and upgrade its facilities and create new jobs here in Ottawa.  By partnering with companies like IRI, we’re giving them the tools they need to increase their competitiveness and keep our economy moving forward,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth this year in both April and July, which has never happened twice in one year before in recorded history.  The total number of new jobs created this year is 77,300, which is the best start to a year since 1999 and best in the Midwest.  Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 152,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest.

The Illinois unemployment rate has dropped to 4.1 percent, which is the state’s lowest level on record.  It has remained below the national rate for four consecutive months, which is the first time this has happened since 1998.  The unemployment rate in LaSalle County is 4.3 percent, dropping 4.9 points from 9.2 percent in January 2003.  The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.  

Site Selection Magazine also ranked Illinois third in the nation for attracting new and expanded corporate facilities in 2005, and Business Facilities Magazine named Illinois the top state for biotech growth last year                                             

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.