CGI is expanding its Lafayette IT Center of Excellence and adding a second Lafayette location, creating 400 new jobs, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ announced today in a press release.
The expansion means CGI employment in the area is expected to grow to 800 professionals over the next few years at both the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Research Park as well as at an undetermined new site in Lafayette Parish.
In March, CGI announced the Lafayette IT Center of Excellence had surpassed the original employment target of 400. Now, the company will build on its baseline with a second phase of growth. Over the next decade, the CGI Lafayette center’s cumulative payroll will exceed $480 million.
Today’s announcement is the completion of an amended cooperative endeavor agreement between the State of Louisiana, CGI Federal, UL Lafayette, the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, Louisiana Economic Development and Ragin Cajun Facilities Inc., which owns and manages the UL Lafayette Research Park where CGI is currently located.
To close the deal, the state offered the company an incentive package that includes a performance-based grant of $5.3 million to offset the costs of personnel relocation, recruitment and training as well as operation and maintenance costs. The company also is expected to take advantage of Louisiana’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive and Quality Jobs Program.
CGI will continue to lease its original location from the university-affiliated Ragin Cajun Facilities Inc. See the full announcement online at KATC-TV.
