CGI Group Inc. (TSX: GIB.A; NYSE: GIB) announced today that its new Technology Center of Excellence facility in Lebanon, Virginia is open for business. Governor Tim Kaine delivered the keynote address, calling the center an anchor of new economic development in the region.
Established in January 2006, the Center has been housed in temporary space provided by the Russell County Industrial Development Authority. The new, permanent facility opened with 42,000 square feet of space, with expansion capability as the Center grows. This week, 235 CGI software developers, analysts and consultants moved into the new building, located at 295 Technology Park Drive in Lebanon.
“This Center is our first in rural America and allows us to offer high-quality, more cost-effective services onshore in the US – a key element of our Global Delivery Model for US Government, State and Local, as well as commercial clients,” said Michael E. Roach, President and CEO, CGI. “We are very pleased that so many of our elected officials from the Commonwealth and Russell County could join us for this celebration in a community CGI now calls ‘home’.”
As a part of the dedication, CGI US President Donna Morea presented a $100,000 check to Virginia Tech to establish two endowment scholarships: one in the College of Engineering and one in the Paplin College of Business. Jay Poole, Director of the Office of Recovery and Support at Virginia Tech, accepted the donation on behalf of the university.
CGI selected Southwest Virginia for its geographic proximity to its clients; its access to a large talent pool of qualified resources from local universities, colleges, and technical institutes; and the strong business incentives and tremendous collaboration among the Commonwealth, local government, industrial and economic development agencies, academia, and local businesses. Staffing at the Center is ahead of CGI’s plan to add 300 jobs by the end of 2008.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 26,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in North America, Europe and India. CGI's annual revenue run rate stands at $3.7 billion and at September 30th, 2007, CGI's order backlog was $12.0 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices. Website: www.cgi.com.
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For more information:
Investors
Lorne Gorber
Vice-President, Global Communications and
Investor Relations
514-841-3355
Media
Linda Odorisio
Vice-President, US Communications
linda.odorisio@cgi.com
703-227-6161
