200-250 high-wage jobs return to Little Rock

More than 200 high-wage telecom jobs could return to Little Rock, which is welcome news following Verizon’s 2008 acquisition of Little Rock-based Alltel which significantly reduced the estimated 3,100 corporate jobs Alltel had in central Arkansas.

Gov. Mike Beebe and Frank O’Mara, a former Alltel vice president and the new CEO of Allied Wireless Communications Corp., announced Tuesday morning (Dec. 15) that the company would invest more than $200 million and create between 200-25o jobs in a corporate headquarters location in Little Rock.

Allied is a subsidiary of Salem, Mass.-based Atlantic Tele-Network. The parent company posted $34.79 million in net income from $207.34 million in total revenue in fiscal year 2008. The company says its primary business model is to provide “service to under-served markets in North America and the Caribbean.”

The $200 million investment is largely the purchase of existing wireless assets from Verizon Wireless and the refurbishment of new headquarters for AWCC on Technology Drive.

“AWCC currently plans to create at least 200-250 jobs in Little Rock, most of which will be highly paid, professional and technical positions,” noted a joint statement from AWCC and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

The sale of assets to ATN is expected to close in early 2010. Verizon was required by the Federal Communications Commission to sell the wireless properties — covering roughly 800,000 former Alltel customers in six states — as part of the deal to buy Alltel Corp.

“Delivering a seamless transition and exceptional customer service is our highest priority,” Michael Prior, CEO of Atlantic Tele-Network, said in the statement. “By locating AWCC’s corporate headquarters in Little Rock, we’ll be able to deliver service to our customers with an experienced and highly knowledgeable workforce. As we work to fill more than 200 new positions throughout 2010, we will have access to a large pool of talented professionals, many with telecom experience.”

Gov. Beebe noted: “These are exactly the kinds of technology-based, high-paying jobs we’ve been working to bring to Arkansas. We appreciate Allied Wireless Communications recognizing the strength and growth potential Little Rock and this region have in this industry. Arkansas has the workforce that ATN needs to be successful in our State.”