Louisiana working to keep CenturyLink

MONROE, La. — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and other state officials are seeking to have CenturyLink extend an agreement to keep its headquarters in Monroe beyond 2020, The News-Star reported.

Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson met with CenturyLink executives Wednesday in Monroe as part of ongoing negotiations, and Edwards and the telecommunications company’s chief executive officer, Jeff Storey, are expected to meet this month, the newspaper quoted Richard Carbo, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, as saying.

CenturyLink is the largest public company based in Louisiana, with annual revenue of nearly $18 billion. It has operations in 60 countries and roughly 50,000 employees worldwide. It’s one of the largest employers in Louisiana with around 2,700 workers and an annual state payroll exceeding $200 million.

The company has a contract with the state to remain based in Monroe through 2020 as part of a previous incentives package. Most of its Louisiana employees are located at its headquarters.