Thursday, April 5, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Helps Preserve Nearly 700 Missouri Jobs at Yellow Pages in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS – Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that with the collective efforts of Missouri officials and business leaders, St. Louis earned the distinction of being named Yellow Pages official headquarters. The coalition of officials, led by Blunt, helped preserve nearly 700 Missouri jobs at Yellow Pages. St. Louis had faced very stiff and competitive competition from Atlanta, Georgia, to earn the headquarters.
"The decision by the AT&T Yellow Pages to place the national headquarters of the new company in St. Louis demonstrates that Missouri is a state with a positive economic environment that attracts new businesses and retains existing ones," said Gov. Matt Blunt. "We announced this week that Missourians have created 82,500 jobs since January, 2005 and the decision to preserve nearly 700 existing Missouri jobs and add 100 new jobs represents more positive economic news for our state."
"We’re proud to be based in St. Louis and to be a vital and active part of the community. Missouri's growing economic climate was one of the reasons we decided to remain here. Our employees have a long tradition of community support and involvement, so keeping our company headquarters here is good for the city and state," said Dennis Payne, president and CEO of AT&T Advertising & Publishing.
"This is an important win for the City, the region and the state,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. “Not only will the City preserve nearly 700 existing jobs that were in play, but, it puts us in a position to attract more jobs in the future."
"On behalf of the 30-plus largest employers in the St. Louis region belonging to Civic Progress, we are thrilled that AT&T Real Yellow Pages has designated St. Louis as their headquarters city," said Douglas Yaeger, Civic Progress President and Laclede Gas President and CEO. "This points to the continued economic resurgence of downtown St. Louis and to the very positive and healthy business climate that exists in the state of Missouri."
Today's announcement preserves 655 Missouri jobs in St. Louis. AT&T Inc. also announced today that AT&T Advertising and Publishing is opening a new sales center in Olivette with 100 new sales jobs. These workers will be responsible for selling advertising for AT&T Real Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM.
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