HELENA (AP) – General Electric Co. plans to open a new facility in Montana next year, creating about 150 jobs, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Thursday.
The new operation will be a customer care center for GE Commercial Finance, dealing with the leasing and financing of commercial equipment, said company spokesman John Oliver.
Oliver said the company deals with about 1 million business customers. He added that it’s “quite likely” that the center will add additional jobs over time.
GE is expected to decide by the end of the summer where it will open the facility.
“This is an opportunity for communities to put on their best face,” Baucus said.
Baucus, who became chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in January, said he had been telling GE CEO Jeff Immelt for years that Montana is a great place to do business.
“I’ve been cultivating General Electric for seven years, actually,” Baucus said. “Things just kind of came into place. I do honestly think this new job I have is a factor.”
GE officials, including Jeffrey Bornstein, vice president and CFO of GE Commercial Finance, attended Baucus’ economic development summit April 30-May 1 in Butte.
Bornstein said GE is excited to expand its operations “and provide a new facility and jobs for Montanans. Montana has great universities, a high quality of life and a tremendous work ethic.”