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Call center nears Medford lease SO-REDI expects to know within a month By DAVID PRESZLER A call center that would bring approximately 150 jobs to Medford is close to leasing the former Ernst Home Center building. The company has negotiated -- but not signed -- a lease with TRF Pacific Real Estate, according to Bob Kaczor, TRF's president. Kaczor said the two sides have agreed in principle and a prepared lease has been sent to the potential tenant. "Until it's signed and returned, we really don't know," Kaczor said Thursday. "I can't say we have a deal." Kaczor, who said a signed lease could arrive any day, declined to identify the potential tenant, as did economic development officials. Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. executive director Gordon Safley said he expected to hear within a month or so whether the company is coming. Economic development officials have been working with the company for more than eight months. The company, which SO-REDI refers to as project "McEnroe," would offer 150 jobs with a starting hourly wage of $8 to $8.50 and full benefits, Safley said. The 56,000-square-foot building briefly housed a 21-and-under dance club last year and a discount book outlet before that, but has otherwise been empty since Ernst closed in 1996. A Medford branch of Valley View Nursery occupies the space formerly used for the Ernst nursery. Safley said the company will have an operation similar to that of U.S. Cellular's Medford call center. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA