The first step in welcoming First Data Solutions to Ames began Aug. 11 in a ground-breaking ceremony at the company’s new office site.

First Data Solutions will build its new plant at 416 South Bell Ave. The company offers information services and consumer and business data for marketing, credit and collection services.

The information is mostly used by banks, financial services, retail corporations and direct marketers for direct mail and collection.

First Data Solutions chose Ames as its new location after merging with Donnelley Marketing a year ago, which had been located in nearby Nevada for many years.

“The company has been in Story County all along, but from the city’s point of view, we want to encourage industrial development in the industrial park location,” said Ann Campbell, an Ames City Council member who served as mayor pro tem at the ground-breaking ceremony.

In attendance at the ground-breaking ceremony were several Ames community representatives, and each gave brief comments to welcome the business to Ames.

First Data Solutions employees who will be relocating to Ames also were present at the ceremony.

As a unit of First Data Corporation with facilities nationwide, First Data Solutions has transferred about 240 employees from Nevada to the new facility in Ames, said Donna Pennington, director of marketing communication at First Data Solutions.

The company plans to increase its workforce to 300 employees in the next few years.

“We’re hoping to expand our workforce, providing many new jobs to the area,” Pennington said.