(MONROE-WEST MONROE, LA.) CenturyLink announced a major expansion to its Monroe headquarters, adding 800 new jobs by 2016. These positions will be in addition to the 350-job expansion announced in late 2009, bringing the total to 1,150 new jobs in North Louisiana. CenturyLink President and CEO Glen Post, III was joined by Governor Bobby Jindal and local elected officials and business leaders to celebrate the great news.

Louisiana Economic Development estimates the 800 new direct jobs, averaging more than $65,000 plus benefits, should result in the creation of approximately 1,170 indirect jobs, for a total impact of nearly 1,970 new jobs. Once the expansion is completed by 2016, CenturyLink will likely become the top economic-driver company in Northeast Louisiana and one of the top 10 economic-driver companies statewide. A new cooperative endeavor agreement executed between CenturyLink and LED will keep the company's headquarters in Louisiana through at least 2020.

"We appreciate the state's efforts to support CenturyLink's growth during this pivotal time in our history," Post said. "As we move forward, we will continually evaluate our staffing needs to support our business, and we are pleased to remain headquartered in Louisiana. Our expectation is that our Northeast Louisiana-based workforce will grow over the next five years through job creation, voluntary employee turnover in locations outside Louisiana, employee-initiated moves to pursue career opportunities and, in some cases, business decisions to move jobs currently located elsewhere to Northeast Louisiana."

North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) through its workforce marketing program, North Louisiana Employment Opportunities Network (NEON), has been working with CenturyLink for nearly a year. NEON is partnering with CenturyLink to help the company recruit top level employees to the Monroe headquarters from its other acquisitions.

The telecommunications giant is placing renewed focus on its talent recruitment as the company addresses its human resources needs after the acquisition of Embarq, Qwest and Savvis. CenturyLink recently centralized its recruitment efforts under one division in order be more strategic and consistent in how it addresses its employment needs.

CenturyLink with NEON's assistance will be training recruiters to effectively promote all the positive aspects of North Louisiana to potential recruits. Angie White, Vice President of Workforce Marketing, will help lead a training event for new CenturyLink recruiters on July 18th.

"Talent is one of the biggest issues facing all companies. Without qualified employees, a company cannot sustain its growth. That's why NLEP created NEON to address these issues of recruitability," said White. "CenturyLink is vital to the North Louisiana economy. Its ability to recruit and meet its human resources needs is key to CenturyLink's sustainability and economic health here in North Louisiana."

NEON hopes to develop a model for talent recruitment from its research and work with CenturyLink.

"Based on our work with CenturyLink, we hope to create a workforce recruitment program that can be used with other companies as well," said White.

NLEP is a non-profit economic development marketing organization, promoting 14 parishes in North Louisiana as a desirable and profitable business location. The NLEP and its many partners work with both existing companies and prospective employers to encourage incremental capital investment and job creation as a way to build a strong and thriving economy.