By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Fidelity Investments says it has added 350 more jobs than the investing giant had initially planned, when it announced last spring that it would center its growing corps of customer relations personnel at its Smithfield, R.I. campus.

Fidelity said on Monday that a total of 850 representatives were being hired for its new Regional Center for Personal Investing at Smithfield, 350 more than the 500 announced last May.

“We are managing relationships with our clients all over the country from this site,” said Michelle Vetovis, Fidelity General Manager for Personal Investing in Smithfield.

“There are sales roles here, we have customer service roles here, support roles here… in support of our clients across the country,” Vetovis said.

The company said it created 9,000 new jobs across the country, as it continues to see record growth and business results.

“To grow from 500 jobs here … to 850 jobs today, it shows that Rhode Island’s momentum is really strong, and Fidelity’s a great partner,” said Democratic Governor Dan McKee. He joined Fidelity representatives and local officials to cut a ribbon at the Smithfield center.

About 150 newly hired workers looked on, many were on their first day on the job at Fidelity, said Rick Metters, the company’s Vice President for RI Regional Public Affairs and Government Relations. He added that a number of newly hired Fidelity employees were working remotely.