CenturyLink breaks ground on Technology Center of Excellence

MONROE, La., March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ —  CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL, news, filings) today hosted a groundbreaking for its Technology Center of Excellence at CenturyLink’s headquarters campus on Hwy. 165 North in Monroe. Officials participating in the groundbreaking included CEO and President Glen F. Post, III, Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal, Mayor of Monroe Jamie Mayo and Ouachita Parish Police Jury Vice President Walt Caldwell.

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The CenturyLink Technology Center of Excellence, which will encompass approximately 250,000 square feet and accommodate about 800 employees, will be located on the north side of CenturyLink’s existing headquarters building. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2014, and should be operational in early 2015. A five-story parking garage will be constructed adjacent to the new facility, and construction on a new road to the center began last week.

The center will include technology research and development labs, a network operations center, and office and meeting space.  Employees and vendors with network, technology and IT skills will work together in this new center to create innovative products and services for CenturyLink’s customers.

“We are very pleased to celebrate this occasion as we initiate the construction of our new technology center,” Post said. “We expect the new center to enhance our ability to grow our operations in this area and to be a catalyst for the development of technology solutions for our customers.”

In addition to the construction of the new technology center, CenturyLink continues to work with a number of local agencies and business partners to enhance the quality of life and strengthen the economic base of northeastern Louisiana. These projects include:

• Uniting with partners such as the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, La., and local educational institutions to increase the focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
• Connecting two of its partners, IBM and United Way of Northeast Louisiana, with community-building efforts including the implementation of IBM’s KidSmart Program in several local kindergarten classrooms.
• Joining forces with the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP), the local chambers of commerce, the convention and visitors’ bureau, the state and others to enhance and highlight northeastern Louisiana’s assets both outside of the local area and with fellow citizens.
• Taking part in a pilot program with other community and business leaders to provide those who are new to the region with opportunities and incentives to become involved with a variety of local civic and charitable organizations in the community.

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by technology industry analyst firms. The company is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for enterprise customers. CenturyLink provides data, voice and managed services in local, national and select international markets through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers for businesses and consumers. The company also offers advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLink^® Prism^TM TV and DIRECTV brands. Headquartered in Monroe, La., CenturyLink is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. For more information, visit www.centurylink.com.
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CenturyLink Technology Center Aerial View Back

CenturyLink Technology Center Aerial View Front

CenturyLink Technology Center Front View

SOURCE CenturyLink, Inc.