St. Cloud Telemarketing Company Dissolved

ST. CLOUD (AP) - A St. Cloud-based telemarketing company created after the Watergate scandal to raise funds for the Democratic Party is insolvent and will close its doors.

Meyer Teleservices owner Gary Owen says the decreasing number of telephone land lines and the lack of access to cell phones have crippled his business. He says politicians are turning to the Internet to raise funds.

The company has closed its offices in Eveleth, St. Cloud and Little Falls. About 100 people have lost their jobs in Eveleth alone. Owen says he did everything possible to remain open, using his retirement money and house equity.

The company owes about $250,000 to the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board which it loaned for the Eveleth facility.