Windstream has decided to make Little Rock, Ark. its permanent headquarters and is embarking on an expansion that will add 210 and retain 300 jobs, bringing its employee headcount in the state capital to 1,360.
Politicians waxed enthusiastic upon the announcement. “We’re excited that Windstream has decided to make Little Rock its permanent corporate headquarters, and to bring even more quality jobs to Central Arkansas,” Governor Mike Beebe was reported as saying in a news release. “Technology-based jobs are vital to our future economic success, and this continued and expanded commitment from Windstream bodes well for our state and our people.”
Gov. Beebe pledged $5.5 million worth of incentives to woo Windstream, Arkansas Business reports.
Formed with the spinoff of Alltel’s local wireline division and a merger with Valor Telecom in 2006, Windstream employs more than 1,150 across the state of Arkansas and more than 9,500 across the country. It has about 1.3 million high-speed Internet customers, 3.4 million access lines and 409,000 digital TV customers across 23 states, according to company statistics. They’ve been on acquisition spree of sorts lately, adding D&E Communications, NuVox, Lexcom, and Iowa Telecommunications in the past couple years.
