The Delaware Council on Development Finance endorsed a $2.5 million package that will bring more than 300 Barclays call center jobs to the state.
The project includes $6.9 million capital improvements to redesign space within its existing headquarters building in Wilmington to house the new employees. The recommendation of the council goes to the state’s Division of Small Business director.
The council approved Barclays for Delaware Strategic Fund monies totaling nearly $2.5 million, including a Performance Grant of almost $1.3 million; a $1 million Training Grant; and a Capital Expenditures Grant of $207,000.
The grants are performance-based and will be paid out over a period of three years after the company meets milestones.
“The addition of more than 300 new jobs from Barclays is welcome news as we work to bolster our economy from the impact of Covid-19,” said Gov. John Carney. “Today’s announcement reaffirms that Delaware remains a great place for any company to put down roots, grow and create jobs. Delaware has a talented and dedicated workforce, an ideal location and quality of life that’s second to none. We stand ready to support businesses looking to grow and to provide good-paying jobs for Delawareans.”
Wilmington has served as the strategic headquarters for Barclays’ U.S. consumer business since 2004 following the acquisition of Juniper Bank an online operation.
Following a review of site options, the company selected Wilmington as the best place to expand its operations. Hiring is currently underway for the new positions, which include a range of customer support and operations management roles.
Barclays had earlier moved an estimated 400 managerial and other jobs to a site in northern New Jersey. However, the company confirmed it would keep the headquarters in Wilmington while for the most part exiting from a site south of Newark. The bank has been active in community investment efforts in Delaware since the beginning of the Covid crisis.
“We’ve been proud to call Wilmington home for nearly two decades as our U.S.-based consumer business has grown to become a leading credit card issuer and payments company for some of the biggest brands in the country,” said Denny Nealon, president, Barclays US Consumer Bank. “Coupled with the support we’re providing to nonprofit organizations in Delaware through our global $125 million COVID-19 Community Aid Package, our ongoing hiring efforts reflect Barclays’ long-standing commitment to the Wilmington community. We’d like to thank to State of Delaware and City of Wilmington for their continued support and partnership.”
Working with Barclays was the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP), a public-private economic development agency based in Wilmington.
Barclays is a British-based bank.
