Anna Forrester
IBM and CenturyLink have formed a public-private partnership with the state of Louisiana to open an application development innovation center in the region and facilitate high-tech job opportunities for local graduates.
IBM said Monday the Monroe-based center will perform services in cloud computing, big data, analytics, security and mobility as part of the company’s 10-year business transformation deal with CenturyLink.
“Louisiana is the right place for high-tech job growth with an exceptional education system, business environment and workforce to serve the needs of our clients,” said Colleen Arnold, senior vice president for sales and distribution at IBM.
The center could provide as much as 400 direct jobs and another 400 indirect jobs to support the partnership’s drive to establish a digital economy in northeast Louisiana, according to estimates by the Louisiana Economic Development.
According to IBM, the partnership will also offer formal internships and work with participating colleges and universities in designing curricula and implementing recruitment programs.
The new Monroe facility will be the second IBM center in the state besides a skills hub in Baton Rouge, the company said.
