LEBANON - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that CGI-AMS Inc., the wholly-owned U.S. operating subsidiary of CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB, TSX: GIB.SV.A), will invest $6 million to open a software development and systems integration facility in Russell County’s Russell Regional Business Technology Park. CGI-AMS provides information technology (IT) services to the government and private sector, and will create 300 new jobs within 30 months. Virginia successfully competed against Alabama and Utah for the company’s expansion initiative.
“This is an unprecedented announcement for the coalfield region,” said Governor Warner. “CGI-AMS is offering the kind of jobs that will truly transform the region’s economy.The company will bring 300 jobs that provide above average wages and great benefits to qualified employees who are ready to work. I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this outstanding project to the Commonwealth. In terms of salaries and number of jobs, it’s the best announcement in a decade for Russell County.”
CGI-AMS Inc. is the wholly-owned U.S. operating subsidiary of CGI Group Inc. Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in North America. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific as well as from centers in the United States, Canada, Europe and India. CGI’s annualized revenue run-rate is currently $3.0 billion and at June 30, 2005, CGI’s order backlog was $10 billion. CGI’s shares are listed on the NYSE (GIB) and the TSX (GIB.SV.A).
“As CGI-AMS continues to expand its operations in the U.S., the Russell County facility will be a key location to support business initiatives with federal, state and local government organizations, as well as commercial sector clients,” said Donna Morea, president, CGI-AMS. “Our new facility represents our concrete commitment to developing a U.S. center of excellence with a focus on software engineering as part of our global delivery model.”
Ms. Morea adds, “We’re excited about this opportunity to positively impact Russell County’s economy by emphasizing jobs and skill sets that enable participation in a global economy.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Russell County Industrial Development Authority and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Warner approved a $700,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Russell County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $700,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through its Workforce Services Program.
“This project is a continuation of our economic development strategy to recruit advanced technology jobs to the coalfield region of Southwest Virginia,” said Charles Yates, Executive Director, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. “We have worked for more than a year to bring this project to a successful closure, and we will request $1.55 million at our next board meeting to assist CGI-AMS with its location here. This location signals a new beginning for technology jobs in the region.”
"Russell County has worked for several years to establish a new business technology park and has supported the completion of the broadband network that serves the Park,” said Danny Brown, Chairman, Russell County Board of Supervisors. “The decision by CGI-AMS to locate in the Russell Regional Business Technology Park in Lebanon is great news for Russell County and all of Southwestern Virginia."