Achieva Breaks Ground in Dunedin Friday

Achieva Credit Union breaks ground on its up-and-coming Virginia Street corporate center today. 

The corporate center is being constructed in three phases and is expected to be complete by 2013, a news release states.

Achieva's move from Clearwater will bring more than 140 employees to the former Nielsen Co. call center at 1659 Virginia St., which is just down the street from Achieva's Dunedin branch at 1150 Virginia St. 

"At a time when other financial institutions are cutting back, Achieva is growing and creating jobs as it opens new branches," Achieva wrote in a news release. "So far in 2012, Achieva Credit Union has surpassed 100,000 members, opened its first branch in Hillsborough County, and is approaching $1 billion in assets." 

The Virginia Street building was vacated after Nielsen decided not to renew its lease with the city last July.

The news of Nielsen's move last summer upset many Dunedin residents concerned for the city's economic vitality.

Nielsen once operated its headquarters on Patricia Avenue along with the call center on Virgina Street. The company shut down the Patricia Avenue headquarters location when it moved 1,600 employees to Oldsmar about nine years ago. Last July, the company decided to vacate Dunedin completely, and moved all of its remaining call center employees to Oldsmar. The Patricia Avenue property remains vacant.

Achieva Credit Union serves members throughout Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

Related Coverage:

• Achieva to Move Headquarters to Dunedin