Pineville, La. – On May 31, the Alexandria City Council unanimously voted to lease the former Sutherland Global Services building in Alexandria to Cleco for use during its Strategic Application Roadmap Transformation (START) project.

The START project is Cleco’s three-year initiative by which the company will implement a new core software application platform and associated best-practice business processes.

“START will create the platform for Cleco’s future,” said Anthony Bunting, chief administrative officer.  “This project will take a lot of work over the next two-to-three years, but it will position the company for growth and operational improvements which allow us to provide even better service to our customers.”

Cleco’s two-year lease, with an option to renew, begins in June 2017 with workers expected to begin occupying the facility in July 2017.  At the height of the project, it is expected that approximately 100 consultants from around the world and up to 60 Cleco employees will occupy the 40,000 square foot facility. 

“This convenient location will offer Cleco employees and consultants the opportunity to work centrally and collaboratively,” said Sylvia Kerry, business manager for the Cleco START project.  “This will be a real economic boost to central Louisiana, as consultants will be staying at area hotels and frequenting restaurants and businesses.”

“Cleco works to spur economic activity across the state, on every level,” said Jeff Baudier, chief marketing officer.  “Our work with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) helps attract new businesses and industries to Louisiana, but we also collaborate with communities – like the City of Alexandria – to find ways, like Cleco’s START initiative, to stimulate the local economy.”

“What a great opportunity after Sutherland’s exit to gain high-quality, high-paying positions,” Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said.  “Cleco’s continuing partnerships with Alexandria are notable and value-adding.”

Pineville, La. will continue to be home to Cleco’s corporate headquarters, as well as the local customer service office and service center which, together, employ approximately 650 full-time employees.