Sallie Mae wants $2.16 million to hire 300 workers

Student loan provider Sallie Mae wants to expand its workforce in Delaware, and the company wants $2.16 million from the state’s Strategic Fund Grant to make that happen.

Next week, the Council on Development Finance will consider an agreement that would send the state money to Sallie Mae contingent on the company hiring 285 workers at its customer service center in New Castle County.

“We’re proud to support Sallie Mae, and the Delawareans who work there, as the company continues to put down roots here,” said Gov. John Carney in a statement of support for the plan. “We’re glad Sallie Mae has chosen to significantly expand its operations in Delaware.”

With an additional 285 workers, Sallie Mae would employ more than 1,000 workers in New Castle County. According to Sallie Mae chairman and CEO Raymond Quinlan, the company will actively try to hire local workers who have been recently laid off from other companies.

“We are eager to draw again from this talented workforce as we continue to grow the business,” Quinlan said. “Since our establishment of Sallie Mae as a standalone consumer banking business more than three years ago, we’ve focused on building out our customer service operation. That’s meant hundreds of new jobs here at our headquarters in Delaware.”

The CDF will meet Monday morning to consider the proposal, but even if approved, no money would be paid to the company until it reports new employment numbers.