Commonwealth of Kentucky
Cabinet for Economic Development

GOVERNOR FLETCHER ANNOUNCES AT&T KENTUCKY TO BRING MORE THAN 350 NEW JOBS TO LOUISVILLE

Frankfort, Ky. -- Governor Ernie Fletcher and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary John Hindman today announced the decision by AT&T Kentucky to establish a customer care center in Louisville, creating more than 350 jobs in the commonwealth. AT&T expects to invest $1.5 million to accommodate the additional employees and anticipates the new jobs will result in an annual payroll of around $10 million.

"AT&T is a tremendous asset and valued business partner to Kentucky," said Governor Fletcher. "The addition of hundreds of new jobs by this prestigious company in Louisville speaks volumes about the company’s confidence in our work force and business climate."

"The decision to expand upon the AT&T Kentucky operation by more than 350 jobs is an outstanding win for the state," said Secretary Hindman. "AT&T Kentucky has a long history in Louisville and is an integral part of its corporate landscape. This new customer care center will only strengthen the partnership that’s been created."

The new operation will consist of a 36,383 square-foot customer care center within the company’s existing location on West Chestnut Street in downtown Louisville.

"We are able to invest in Kentucky and bring these jobs to Louisville because of the leadership of our governor, legislators, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Louisville Metro officials," said Joan Coleman, AT&T Kentucky president. "We are very encouraged by the favorable business environment they have created for telecom investment and job expansion."

Employees in the new Louisville positions will assist AT&T High Speed Internet subscribers who need technical support for their service. The jobs are part of an initiative involving the relocation of customer service positions that had previously been outsourced.

"These jobs are great for our city because they are high-tech," said Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. "AT&T customers will be calling Louisville to get help with their Internet needs. I applaud AT&T for investing in our city — and for bringing hundreds of jobs downtown."

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved AT&T Kentucky for tax benefits up to $4 million under the Kentucky Jobs Development Act, an incentive program designed to increase service- and technology-related employment in the state.

Company officials will begin hiring for the new positions in August. Prospective job candidates can apply online at www.att.jobs.

A community profile for Jefferson County can be found at the following link: http://www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=091.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2006 totaled more than $3.4 billion with the creation of over 18,500 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/.