Insurance giant I-N-G will expand its Iowa headquarters even as it shrinks or closes many of its 14 other offices around the country. I-N-G’s Chris Welp says the company plans to make the Des Moines operation one of its “Super Centers.” Hiring will start immediately. He says the first employees will start work March 1. Welp says the change will add 400 workers in the Iowa headquarters of the company.They’ll range from managerial to clerical jobs — many in the call center — and will generally have salaries similar to those in other Des Moines-based insurance companies. New employees will all work at the company’s downtown Des Moines headquarters, and Mayor Preston Daniels was asked about extensive construction plans for the I-235 freeway leading into downtown.Daniels says it’s time to think about mass transit and carpooling, and jokes that a car is not a horse, it’ll hold more than a single rider. Mayor Daniels said work on 235 will be staggered in different areas at different times, and much will be done in off-peak hours, like nighttime. Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack says the new jobs will contribute to Iowa’s strong economic position despite the national recession.I-N-G officials say workers being cut at other locations will be offered an option to move to Iowa, but they expect to fill many of the 400 jobs locally. To learn more or apply, surf to “www.ing-usa.com/careers”.
