BREWTON, Alabama – Provalus, an information technology services firm that seeks to tap talent in underserved communities, has opened a 55,000-square-foot headquarters in Brewton, a small city located in rural South Alabama.
Governor Kay Ivey joined company leaders and local officials at a ceremony this week to mark the official opening of the new Provalus headquarters in Escambia County. She praised the company for its mission of creating 200-plus tech jobs in an unexpected locale.
“The commitment that Provalus has made to our great state is truly going to change lives in Brewton and the surrounding areas,” Governor Ivey said.
“Rural Alabama may not be the first place you’d expect to find jobs in software development and web site design, but Provalus is proving that the talent certainly exists here.”
Laura Chevalier, president of Provalus, cut a red ribbon during Wednesday’s ceremonies to formally open the company’s new Brewton facility.
“Brewton is the foundation of seeing what is possible,” Chevalier said in comments reported by the Brewton Standard. “Given the rest of the country, Brewton gives a new perspective on what is possible.”
🎥 Here is a video recap of this exciting event: https://t.co/Akswo2gyiE. #alpolitics
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) December 8, 2021
Provalus first announced its plans for the Brewton operation in 2017, offering services to clients that include business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology outsourcing (ITO), and Helpdesk activities.
The new headquarters facility is the centerpiece of a downtown revitalization campaign in Brewton, whose population totals around 5,200.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Ted Clem, director of the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Business Development division, said Provalus’ business model has paid off for Brewton and has the potential to do for similar communities.
“Provalus approached us with a vision of reshoring IT jobs to America and accomplishing this in rural, small towns. We were skeptical at first, because this is a mission unlike most every other IT company we have dealt with,” Clem said.
“I believe this company is on to something that can change the future of many small towns in Alabama and elsewhere, as long as there is committed leadership in place at the local level. This is what they found in Brewton.”
Clem added: “Provalus has delivered on everything they promised, and it is providing career opportunities for many young people in the Brewton region.”
Provalus is carving out a niche by creating technology, business and support careers for undiscovered talent in small towns and rural communities. Besides Alabama, the company has operations in Texas and South Carolina.
Provalus is part of the Atlanta-based Optomi family of companies.
