Gov. John Bel Edwards, state leaders join CGI for IT center ribbon cutting in Lafayette, Louisiana

More than 250 local tech workers already on site of new $13.1 million facility

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LAFAYETTE, LA, May 17, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) executives today were joined by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and a host of state and local leaders at a ribbon cutting celebration for the company's new $13.1 million onshore information technology (IT) services Center of Excellence in Lafayette, Louisiana. The 50,000-square-foot facility houses CGI's fourth U.S. onshore delivery center and is expected to create up to 400 high-quality IT jobs in southwest Louisiana by 2020. CGI currently employs more than 250 technology workers at the center and is recruiting to fill more than 50 open positions.  Interested candidates may learn more at www.cgi.com/lafayette.

"This ribbon cutting would not have been possible without the shared commitment of CGI and its local partners in higher education, economic development, state and local governments and the Acadiana community," said Tim Hurlebaus, President, CGI Federal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGI, serving clients in the civilian, defense and intelligence sectors of the U.S. government.  "Together, we envisioned a state-of-the art technology facility that would bring high-quality jobs to Lafayette and provide world-class service to CGI clients.  Today, with that vision becoming a reality, we recognize the contributions of those who welcomed our business to this great community, and the CGI team members in Lafayette who are serving our clients across the country and around the world."

"CGI's arrival in Louisiana has helped elevate our state's status as a leading destination for knowledge-based employers and the creative professionals who help them thrive," Gov. Edwards said. "While attracting one of the world's most successful information technology companies, we also are building research capacity in an exciting way for one of our leading higher education institutions, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We're delighted that CGI is meeting with success in Louisiana and that our partnership, over the next decade, will triple the number of computer science undergraduate degrees awarded annually through UL Lafayette's School of Computing and Informatics."

CGI's onshore delivery model creates high-quality IT jobs in America. It is a core element of the company's business strategy to offer cost-effective IT services options to government and commercial clients. The company continually looks for locations offering access to a quality workforce, strong economics and partnerships with state and local government, academia and industry. With its continued growth and technology-savvy workforce, Lafayette was identified as a perfect partner for CGI, which selected the location after a nearly two-year, nationwide site-selection process.  CGI also operates U.S. onshore delivery centers in Lebanon, VA, Troy, AL and Belton, TX.

"By including onshore delivery options as part of our global delivery network, we not only underscore our commitment to client service, but also prove that building a national technology workforce in the U.S. is about more than recruiting workers in Silicon Valley and other urban technology centers," said Will LaBar, Vice President, CGI Federal.  "We believe that young people in places like Lafayette should be able to live, raise families and pursue technology careers in their own communities.  We are proud that our center in Lafayette is offering the opportunity for area students and workers to join the nation's technology workforce right here in southwestern Louisiana."

As an anchor tenant of the 143-acre Research Park of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, CGI's new state-of-the-art facility is expected to have an annual economic impact of $90 million over the next five years. The project also includes a state-funded, 10-year, $4.5 million higher education initiative led by University of Louisiana at Lafayette that will result in a tripling of the number of undergraduate degrees awarded annually by the University's School of Computing and Informatics. That growth is anticipated to place the university's computer science program among the top 25 in the U.S. for number of bachelor's degrees awarded in computer science each year. 

CGI is also establishing a research and technology innovation lab in Lafayette to advance cutting-edge technologies such as digital transformation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, future cities, big data and data visualization. This Innovation Center is open for business and will be used by both CGI and the University for technology demonstrations, client innovation sessions, and learning events.   

"As a leader in their industry, CGI both enhances and diversifies the landscape of our economy. In a very short period of time, they have already proven to be an active and engaged community partner," said Joel Robideaux, Mayor-President, Lafayette.

CGI employees have also become active in the community.  Over the past year, CGI has helped support Project Front Yard, partnered with the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association to raise awareness about the Bayou, volunteered for United Way, supported middle/high school career fairs and events, and participated in organizations such as the Lafayette Downtown Development Authority and One Acadiana.

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 65,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as 150 IP-based services and solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Group Inc.

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