Virginia 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 US$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.
“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 the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ
approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI’s annualized revenue run-rate is
currently US$3.0 billion and at June 30, 2005, CGI’s order backlog was US$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 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist
Russell County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and
Community Revitalization Commission approved 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. 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."
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For more information:
Commonwealth of
Virginia:
Kevin Hall
(804) 225-4260
Virginia Economic
Development Partnership:
Christie Collins
(804)
545-5805
CGI:
Investor relations
Jane Watson
Vice-president, investor relations
(416) 945-3616
Ronald White
Director, investor relations
(514) 841-3230
Media relations
Angela Morris
Communications director
(703) 227-4294
