BANGOR (AP) – Outdoors outfitter L.L. Bean announced Thursday that it has selected Bangor as the site of its newest call center.

Joined by city officials, the company said the 30,000-square-foot center will open in late summer and employ between 600 and 800 seasonal workers. Beginning in January, the year-round work force is expected to number about 100 but could increase over time.

“Our review of the labor market areas in Maine led us to Bangor for its work force capacity and ability to meet both our year round and peak season hiring needs,” said Chris McCormick, president of the Freeport-based company.

The facility, to be located in the former Irving Oil building near the entrance to Bangor International Airport, will be Bean’s fourth year-round call center. The others are in Portland, Lewiston and Waterville.

Bean said it plans to begin hiring in June or July and that the jobs will offer hourly wages starting at $8.85.

The company plans to lease the building from the city, which will retain ownership. The plan is subject to City Council approval.

Earlier this week, Bean said it will remain in its current year-round facility at JFK Mall in Waterville. There were fears that the company might leave the area after it scrapped plans to build a 50,000-square-foot call center in a business park in nearby Oakland where wireless communications company T-Mobile USA is building a call center.

Communities from Sanford to Bangor and Brewer expressed interest in being home to a call center after Bean decided to seek an alternative to the Oakland location.