Associated Press - May 15, 2009 8:54 AM ET

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) - High-definition television maker Vizio Inc. of Irvine, Calif., is opening a call center in North Sioux City in a former Gateway Inc. building.

The sales and marketing center will open with about 25 employees and is expected to grow to 45 sales agents plus management by the end of the year.

Many of the workers are former Gateway employees.

Gov. Mike Rounds and Vizio investor and former Gateway Chief Executive Officer Ted Waitt attended Thursday's grand opening.

Gateway once employed 5,000 workers at its North Sioux City campus before moving its headquarters to Irvine, Calif.

Before Vizio started making flat-screen TVs, it helped develop the technology for Gateway computer monitors.

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