(GREENSBORO) -- Gov. Beverly Perdue made a stop in Greensboro Thursday to talk to business and community leaders in the wake of Wednesday's announced closing of the American Express Service Center. Perdue said she did not know the center was closing until she got a call from American Express executives Wednesday morning.

"And we talked very directly.  It was a hard call from both our sides, but it was a very direct and honest and open call and American Express has been a terrific partner for North Carolina and will continue to be a partner with the data centers," said Perdue
 
The governor said her staff has been making calls around the world.  "Trying to find if any other call centers are interested in moving to North Carolina.  We're trying to figure out another use for that facility and another place for those employees to work," said Perdue.

About 1,500 of the approximately 1,900 employees at the Greensboro AMEX facility will either be relocated or let go.  Around 400 employees will be offered home-based work opportunities.

(Thanks to: WSJS)