For Immediate Release
Contact:Dixie Ziegler, 402-694-3656 v/TTY
Vice President, Hamilton Relay, Inc.
FROSTBURG, MD (March 23, 2007) – A business that provides a unique nationwide communications service to people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Disabled is opening a Telecommunications Relay Service Center in Frostburg.
As the result of a competitive bidding process, the State of Maryland Department of Budget and Management awarded the contract to Hamilton Relay to provide Telecommunications Relay Service to the State of Maryland. Hamilton will begin processing Maryland Relay calls on May 31, 2007, and has selected Frostburg as the site for its center.
Ellis Kitchen, State of Maryland Chief of Information Technology, commented that, “Hamilton Relay was competitively selected because their offer represented the best value to the State and they have proven their ability to provide high quality service in 13 other states. In future years, we anticipate that Hamilton will also process calls from other states in the Frostburg center. Relay users in the State of Maryland will continue to receive the excellent service they have come to expect.”
“This is a tremendous win for both Allegany County and the State of Maryland,” said David Edgerley, Maryland Secretary of Business and Economic Development. “Hamilton Relay is a well-respected and growing company that provides an extremely important service to the hearing and speech impaired. We are extremely pleased they have chosen Allegany County as the site for their new facility. Their decision to expand here is a real testament to the quality of life, business climate and skilled workforce offered by the State and Allegany County.”
Maryland Relay is a free service that allows people who are Hearing, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind or Speech Disabled to communicate via the telephone. Through the use of specialized equipment, relay users communicate freely with friends, family and businesses who use a standard telephone. For more information, call Maryland Relay at 1-800-552-7724 voice/TTY or email moreinfo@mdrelay.org.
Matthew W. Diaz, Director of the Allegany County Department of Economic Development remarked, “Allegany County warmly welcomes Hamilton Relay! This sophisticated, technologically-oriented company will enhance our local economy. Hamilton Relay exemplifies the age of information and the age of communication.”
Incorporated in 1901, Hamilton Telecommunications, parent company of Hamilton Relay, began providing relay service in 1990. Since that time, Hamilton Relay has expanded to become one of the largest telecommunications relay service providers in the United States. With the opening of the Frostburg center on May 31st and the startup of relay service to the State of Kansas on May 1st, Hamilton will up its total number of states to which it provides relay service to 15 states, plus the District of Columbia, Island of Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. To date, Hamilton has not lost the renewal of any of the State contracts it has been awarded. “That in itself says a great deal for the stability and longevity of our business operations,” says Dixie Ziegler, Vice President of Hamilton Relay.
James J. Stakem, President of the Allegany County Commissioners, stated, “This company is experienced and successful in relay operations. Hamilton Relay is a strong addition to Allegany County’s diversified economy.”
Hamilton has been working closely with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Allegany County Department of Economic Development and the Allegany County Commissioners to locate the Relay Center in Frostburg. “We are excited to begin operations and are impressed with what Frostburg and Allegany County have to offer. The community has been extremely helpful to work with and preparations are well underway to open our center,” said Ziegler.
Commissioner Robert M. Hutcheson acknowledged the assistance provided by the State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). “Allegany County sincerely appreciates the many things DBED did to make the location of Hamilton Relay in Frostburg a reality. The Allegany County Department of Economic Development and DBED have a good partnership.”
Hamilton has acquired right of entry approval and has begun facility improvements to a building in the Frostburg Business Park. The lease to occupy the building is nearly complete with approval pending from the Allegany Board of County Commissioners.
Hamilton’s new Frostburg communications center will employ 70 to 80 full time people. Referring to the nature of the employment opportunities available at the Relay Center, Commissioner Dale R. Lewis commented that, “Hamilton Relay offers the opportunity for full-time, stable employment in Allegany County. In addition, Hamilton Relay offers very rewarding work for individuals.”
Ziegler says the benefits generated by the new Relay Center through increased jobs and payroll dollars will have a positive impact on the growth of Frostburg’s economy. “Hamilton is a company with longevity and stability. We intend to grow our communications center in Frostburg and look forward to being a part of the Frostburg community for a very long time. To date, Hamilton has never closed a relay facility.”
Hamilton is currently accepting applications for a variety of positions in the Frostburg facility. Interviews for relay operators for all shifts are being conducted now at the Allegany County One Stop Job Center, 138 Baltimore Street, Suite 102, McMullen Building, Cumberland, Maryland 21502, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The telephone number for information about employment opportunities and interviews with Hamilton Relay is 301-777-1221 Ext. 309. Individuals may also contact Hamilton’s corporate Human Resource Department at 1-800-821-1831 or send inquiries and/or resumes to www.hamilton.net/employment.html to the attention of Cindy Blase by April 6, 2007. All full-time employees have the opportunity for a benefit package including paid health and life insurance, long term disability, 401(K), cafeteria, paid vacation, sick leave and holidays.
“Excellent company benefits is one of the draws for employment with Hamilton. However, the meaningful and helpful nature of the work is very rewarding. As a result, many of our relay operators and management staff have been with the company for 10 to 15 years, or more.”
Hamilton is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.
About Hamilton Relay
Hamilton Relay offers a variety of services including Internet Relay, Video Relay, Wireless Relay and CapTel. All services are available at www.hamiltonrelay.com. With the addition of Maryland and Kansas, Hamilton Relay will provide traditional relay services to 15 states, the District of Columbia, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands.
CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.
