Marion could receive social service center by September

MARION, Ind. -- A customer service center that is part of a $1.16 billion contract to privatize parts of the state's food stamp, Medicaid and welfare programs could be open in the city by September, officials said.\nThe state announced last week that Marion had been chosen as the site of one of Family and Social Services Administration's several new call centers to be run by Affiliated Computer Services. The center, located in a former middle school, was expected to employ at least 250 people, the majority of whom will be current FSSA employees, said Joe Barrett, vice president of communications for ACS.\nMarion schools Superintendent Andy Nixon said he received what he thought was the final version of the lease, which he planned to present to the school board Wednesday.\nThe customer service center is part of a deal between the state and a private coalition of companies led by IBM. The state is going to pay the group to take over data collection duties for the state's welfare system.\nThe center also will be used to make digital images of documents for the FSSA, Barrett said. The FSSA currently does not make copies of documents.\nACS will operate six to eight of the centers. Grant County, the pilot program, will serve several surrounding counties.\n"We chose Marion because it's known to have an excellent work force, and the school is well-situated," Barrett said. "It fits our needs perfectly."\nACS will spend $2 million in renovations for the building and predicts $30 million will be contributed to the local economy in connection with the deal.\nThe total annual payroll is expected to be $6.2 million. Barrett would not say what the average wage for an employee would be.