AT&T brings 350 jobs to Summerlin

By Jeff O'Brien

Published Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 | 2:39 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 | 12:16 p.m.

More than 350 jobs are coming to Summerlin after AT&T opened a new high-speed Internet technical support center at 10550 W. Charleston Blvd., near the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Town Center Drive.

The facility opened on Oct. 15 and is part of a nationwide effort by AT&T to bring approximately 5,000 outsourced jobs back to the United States from overseas, said AT&T spokeswoman Timi Aguilar.

"The goal behind this repatriation was to bring jobs back to U.S. citizens. Hopefully it will create growth in our economy," Aguilar said.

AT&T had no comment on whether the cutting of 12,000 jobs nationwide, which the company announced on Thursday, would have any impact on the new Las Vegas center.

The facility is currently the only AT&T call center in the state. Another support center in Reno will provide 350 jobs once it is completed in February 2009, Aguilar said.

"We chose Nevada, and specifically Las Vegas, because of the great work environment," she said. "It's got a friendly business environment and the cost of living is good."

The facility will serve as a nationwide call center for AT&T high-speed Internet customers in need of troubleshooting tips or billing information.

Currently there are about 80 employees at the facility and that number should reach 175 by January and 350 by June of next year.

The current state of the economy, Aguilar said, was not a major concern for AT&T in bringing this project to fruition.

"The economy may not be doing so great, but we still have to service our customers," she said. "People still need to use their telephones, Internet service and other basic needs. It still made sense for us to open this call center."

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].