Commonwealth Journal -- SAIC Adding 20 Jobs

Press Release

"Silicon Holler" is getting a little bit bigger.

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers was on hand at the Valley Oak Technology Complex Monday to announce the creation of 20 new "good-paying" jobs in the near future for qualified Pulaski Countians.

"In these times, when people are losing jobs, it's really thrilling to be able to announce that we have new jobs for people," said Rogers. "I'm hopeful that (this) will be a precursor of things to come."

The jobs are the result of plans by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to expend operations locally.

SAIC is a Fortune 500 Company and one of the largest IT contractors in the country. Specifically, it works closely with national defense systems, making Somerset a surprisingly key location in the nation's fight to protect itself against outside threats and natural disasters, as Rogers has been influential on the Congressional Homeland Security Subcommittee, and the area also brought in the National Institute for Hometown Security.

Rogers called SAIC a "national defense leader," and noted their part in providing technical services for FEMA disaster plan recovery and response missions.

Currently, SAIC -- based out of San Diego, Calif. -- employs 70 individuals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 55 of which work at the Somerset facility to provide corporate help desk and technical assistance to customers.

Now, the company intends to hire and relocate 20 new positions to the Valley Oak Technology Complex -- located on Ky. 461 in eastern Pulaski County -- within the next year.

"Relocate" doesn't mean that already-existing employees will be brought in from other locations, however. Greg Jones of SKED (Southern Kentucky Economic Development) explained that his organization will be co-hosting a job fair soon to help SAIC identify new hires. Times and dates, and more information about how to submit applications for the new jobs, will be announced "soon."

"They're going to try to fill all those positions from local Somersetians," said Jones. "(SAIC is) trying to move work from others locations to this location, and fill the jobs locally."

SAIC was the second facility to move into Valley Oak after the park opened in 2004. Rogers said the sign that SAIC is planning to move more of its operations here is a positive sign for the community.

"This is a big day -- it rivals even the day that they came -- because this says they were right in choosing us," said Rogers, "because they've decided to expand here, which confirms their confidence in you."

Rogers credits the "incredible high-tech infrastructure" both at Valley Oak and The Center for Rural Development, as well as a work ethic among the local labor force "that will beat anybody in the country" for bolstering this success.

"You can do business in Somerset, Ky., as efficiently, if not more so, than in the nation's metropolises."

Doug Wagoner, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager, called the "work ethic and can-do spirit" of this area "phenomenal," and noted how all the infrastructure that's in place makes it easy to utilize the Valley Oak facility.

"SAIC has been a significant employer in Somerset for more than five years," said Wagoner. "We look forward to expanding our operations in Somerset, and strengthening our already positive and productive working relationship with the Somerset business community, including SKED.

"There are many other programs that we are looking at ... for this community in trying to find opportunities for this area," he added at the press conference at SAIC Monday.

Jones said that while he couldn't name the specific customer for whom the extra positions will be providing customers, he assured the Commonwealth Journal that that they would be "very good-paying jobs."

Rogers again referenced the colorful nickname given to the effort to attract modern technological industries to the area in praising the door of opportunity which Valley Oak has opened in its time.

"(SAIC) has been very responsible company on the leading edge of technology," said Rogers. "That really is good news for us, that we were able to attract in "Silicon Holler' these new types of jobs."

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