Delaware-based Ralph Lauren Media LLC will invest $11.8 million in the opening of a customer service center that will bring 200 new jobs to High Point. The project was supported by a grant from the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program from the state of North Carolina.

Ralph Lauren Media is a 30-year partnership between the Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., the National Broadcasting Company and ValueVision Media Inc., created to market the Ralph Lauren brand. Ralph Lauren Media's first initiative was the development and launch of Polo.com, the online store for Polo Ralph Lauren, in November 2000.

Since the launch of Polo.com, ValueVision Media Inc. has provided customer service and order fulfillment operations through the company's facilities in Minneapolis, Minn. and Bowling Green, Ky. The new High Point facility will manage all Polo.com operations, including fulfilling customer orders, altering and embroidering products and providing customer support.

Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin in December of 2006. The customer service center is expected to open in the summer of 2007. Ralph Lauren Media will invest $11.8 million in machinery and equipment for the facility.

The 200 new jobs will include management, technology support and call center operators. While individual wages will vary by job function, the average yearly salary for the positions will be $33,695, plus benefits.

"We are thrilled to partner with the state of North Carolina and further support the local community of High Point. This is a wonderful place to do business and we look forward to sharing in Guilford County's continued growth and success," said Sarah Gallagher, president of Ralph Lauren Media.

Under the terms of the JDIG agreement approved by the Economic Investment Committee, a 10-year grant will be established.

For each year that the company meets the required performance targets, the state will provide a grant equal to 65 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs. If the company creates all of the jobs called for under the agreement and sustains them for 10 years, Ralph Lauren Media could yield a maximum benefit of $1.52 million.

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