Greater Jobs, Inc.

Thursday, July 19, 2001

Greater Jobs, Inc. announced its intentions Tuesday to relocate their offices to the Riverland Community College Campus from the Albert Lea/Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce building on North Broadway Avenue.

Citing air-quality concerns within the chamber building, the economic-development organization will temporarily occupy an office at Riverland until its future home in the North Aire Industrial Park is ready.

&uot;This move has simply pushed our move from the Chamber location a little sooner than expected,&uot; said Pam Bishop, Executive Vice President of Greater Jobs. &uot;With Riverland Community College an essential partner to the development center, it makes sense that we temporarily house our office at this location.&uot;

Bishop said once the future home of the business incubator is refurbished, Greater Jobs will move to its permanent home in the building. Meanwhile, the organization can be reached at 379-3388.

According to Executive Director Allen Pelvit, the Chamber of Commerce had the leased office tested last fall for mold and fungus levels in the air. Pelvit would not say whether his organization would relocate or remain in the leased offices, but hopes to make an announcement soon, he said.

Steven Pulley, president of the chamber board, said he and Pelvit are exploring relocation options, but have not made any final decision.

&uot;We have to do what’s prudent. We have a duty to our staff to entertain the option of moving to a new location,&uot; he said.

City inspector Neal Lindeman said he visited the chamber building last fall after staff complained of mildew odors and aggravated allergies.

&uot;It was your basic moist-basement smell,&uot; Lindeman. &uot;It’s unpleasant, but the question is whether or not it’s harmful. I didn’t think so but we didn’t have any tests run, either.&uot;

The chamber building, owned by local architect Adrian Hestness, has housed Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Greater Jobs for about 10 years.