By Anne Finlay-Stewart

Everyone calls it the NuComm building. You might have paid a utility bill there once. I definitely went there, briefcase in hand, to fight for someone's NuComm vacation pay. And most recently it was the temporary home of the returning office for the provincial election, before being emptied out, yet again. The address is 1755 17th Ave. E., Owen Sound.

How did this mid-century utilitarian building on the edge of the city's industrial park come to its lonely fate? It's an interesting case study.

2001: The City of Owen Sound sells its power utility, Georgian Bay Energy, for $16.2-million.

2001: Amid great fanfare, NuComm holds a job fair for a call centre, and moves into the former Georgian Bay Energy building at the corner of 16th St. E. and 17th Ave.

2002: V. Real Bergevin, President of NuComm, is named one of Canada's "top 40 executives under 40." Bergevin says "Geography is becoming less and less important. As things get tougher here in Canada, we won't be limited by the market."

2005: Bergevin writes a book "Call Centres for Dummies."

2007: Bergevin proves himself no dummy when he sells NuComm to Transcom for $90-million.

2009: NuComm/Transcom is cited in local reports as a "major employer" - most ironically in a business plan for an affordable housing development that is never built.

June, 2011: Transcom announces it is closing operations in Owen Sound. No one will be offered jobs elsewhere because the company is "over capacity" and "right sizing."

September, 2011: One hundred and thirty-three people are out of work. The building stands vacant.

December, 2011: Acting Fire Captain Wayne Flood cites closings, including NuComm, as the reason Salvation Army Christmas hampers are up 20 per cent.

September, 2012: The Bibles for Missions Foundation announces it is building a 15,000 square foot thrift store (its 43rd in Canada) on the northeast corner of the NuComm property.

2013: The Thrift store opens. The Transcom building remains vacant.

2014: The building is used as returning office for provincial election. Currently, it is vacant.

Transcom however, is doing fine. Thanks for asking.

Its first-quarter revenue in 2014 was $235-million, although the company prefers to count its cash in Euros.

According to the corporate website, this is the value Transcom delivers:

"Transcom's operations add value to our clients' businesses by supporting the creation of outstanding customer experience, while reducing cost and helping to drive growth."

If you are looking for work, the careers section of the Transcom website is an interesting read.

"Transcom is a global employer in an industry that depends on strong, resourceful, talented people. In return for commitment, hard work and talent we offer competitive salaries and benefits, high-quality training and opportunities to forge a career in a progressive, client focused business."

It all sounds great. Just not for Owen Sound.

Anne Finlay-Stewart is Community Editor of Owensoundhub.org. She can be reached at [email protected].