Contel will receive assistance from the City of DeKalb in establishing it’s midwest regional headquaters

The city council unanimously approved a movement to grant Contel financial and technical assistance to remodel the Wurlitzer building, 403 Gurler Road, which Contel bought Monday.

“Contel locating their Great Lakes Regional Headquarters here will result in the creation of 125 new jobs and the relocation of 200 jobs to the DeKalb area,” DeKalb City Manager Mark Stevens said.

The city council agreed to spend $250,000 for improvements on Gurler Road and $325,000 on the construction of a water main loop in front of the Wurlitzer complex.

Contel is spending $10 million to purchase the building and the adjacent Notre Dame High School, which is vacant. Some of the $10 million will be spent on renovating Wurlitzer, Stevens said.

He said the city also will assist Contel in finding a tenant for the Notre Dame High School that Contel does not need.

There are other incentives involved in the deal unrelated to funding, Stevens said.

Jeff Monroe, 7th Ward Alderman, said the Contel deal will result in an increase in “upwardly mobile people” to the DeKalb area, resulting in higher housing prices.

“I would like to restate our commitment to keeping housing rates down,” Monroe said.

Michael Welsh, 2nd Ward alderman, said the Contel project will increase revenue for many DeKalb area businesses and he commended Contel for their decision.

“We applaud Contel choosing DeKalb for this project,” Welsh said.