Verizon Wireless To Build $54 Million Regional Headquarters In Franklin, Tenn.: Gov. Bredesen And Commissioner Kisber Instrumental In Bringing Facility To Tennessee

NASHVILLE, TN — Gov. Phil Bredesen today announced that Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading provider of wireless communications, is breaking ground on a $54 million regional headquarters facility in Franklin, Tenn. Verizon Wireless will hire 600 to 700 new employees at the state headquarters over the next three to five years to manage a variety of functions, including business services, sales, financial services, IT, HR and network operations. The company currently employs over 2,200 people in the state of Tennessee. Approximately 550 Nashville area Verizon Wireless employees will relocate to the 180,000 sq. ft. facility, building capacity to over 1300 when it is fully operational in 2008.

Bredesen joined Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Franklin City Mayor Tom Miller, and Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson at this afternoon's announcement ceremony at the State Capitol Building, Old Supreme Court Chambers.

"Verizon Wireless is proud to grow its already significant presence in Middle Tennessee," said Jerry Fountain, president-Tennessee/Carolinas Region. "Locating this regional headquarters in Franklin is good news for Williamson County and for the hundreds of local residents here and in surrounding counties who will join our team," he said.

"This facility is also great news for Verizon Wireless. We are impressed with the strong, long-standing focus on economic development in Tennessee and appreciate the efforts of Gov. Bredesen, Commissioner Kisber and the Williamson County government and business leaders who helped bring this project to fruition. We look forward to further strengthening our involvement in this community."

Gov. Bredesen said the high-paying jobs provided by Verizon Wireless's regional headquarters will be a boon to Middle Tennessee and to the Franklin economy.

"I'm very pleased by the commitment of Verizon Wireless to creating high quality, good paying jobs for Tennesseans," said Bredesen. "This announcement today shows that innovative, technology-focused companies are finding a welcoming business climate in Tennessee."

Verizon Wireless will begin recruiting for new jobs in early 2008, with employee training starting in the summer months. Those interested in applying for jobs should stay tuned for more information to be provided later this year.

Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Matthew Kisber said today's announcement is the continuation of a long-standing focus on economic development in Tennessee.

"Verizon Wireless' decision marks the 30th corporate headquarters facility to locate in Tennessee since Governor Bredesen took office in 2003," said Kisber. "With this announcement, the company is making a major investment in our state and creating jobs that will have a strong, positive economic impact on the region and the entire state of Tennessee."

"Tennessee Valley Authority is pleased to partner with Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the State of Tennessee, and many other area economic development leaders to assist Verizon Wireless on locating this new facility and bringing more quality jobs and investments to Middle Tennessee," said John Bradley, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development.

"We welcome the growing presence of Verizon Wireless in the Middle Tennessee area. This company has been a great corporate citizen and we are excited about the expansion of such a fast growing industry," said Matt Largen, business recruitment director for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. "Verizon's plan for Middle Tennessee is aligned with our five year strategic plan to grow the economy with highly skilled, technology-based jobs. We look forward to our continued strong partnership with Verizon Wireless and thank our many economic development partners who were involved in this project."

A Growing, Thriving Business
This initiative falls squarely in line with Verizon Wireless' workforce development efforts to provide competitive compensation and outstanding benefits to employees. Verizon Wireless is a growing, business with more than 66,000 working across the country to provide the best network, best products and services and best customer service. Last year, Verizon Wireless announced plans for a new, high-tech state headquarters and call center facility in Huntsville, Alabama, with up to 1,300 jobs and an investment of over $44 million to the area. The facility will open next month.

In the state of Tennessee, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $545 million over the past four years to expand and enhance its wireless network to stay ahead of the growing demand for its products and services.

A Great Place to Work
Verizon Wireless is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the country because of its employee-friendly policies. The company was named one of Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for the sixth consecutive year, has been named by Health magazine as one of 10 U.S. employers to best help women balance their professional and personal responsibilities, and has been named one of the nation's top 100 companies by Training magazine for its continued commitment to employee development in each of the last five years.

Verizon Wireless offers highly competitive compensation with salaries starting at $26,000 and up based on experience. Benefits include health care coverage that begins on the first day of employment, participation in the company's 401(k) program (dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6% of the employee's contribution), profit sharing, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, annual bonuses, and short-term and long-term incentive plans. Employees can also take advantage of numerous opportunities for career advancement.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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