Monroe mayor speaks out about CenturyLink's future

CenturyLink, headquartered in Monroe, is the third largest telecommunications company in the U.S. Its contract with Louisiana is scheduled to expire in 2020.

Mayor Jamie Mayo says he understands residents have concerns the company will leave after the contract is up, but his office is optimistic.

"We want that company in Monroe, particularly the headquarters," Mayo said.

He said his office is working alongside Governor John Bel Edwards to keep the company in Monroe.

Governor Edward's Deputy Chief of Staff, Richard Carbo, says conversations to extend CenturyLink's contract have been going on for quite some time.

Carbo says they plan to make an announcement fairly soon regarding CenturyLink's future. He says they are putting in powerful incentives to encourage the company to stick around.

"The governor wants to do anything that's possible while still being a good steward of taxpayer money and any incentive programs," Carbo says.

"We have to come to the table with the necessary incentives," Mayo said.

The governor's office says they can not give details of the negotiations yet, but everything is looking promising.

"We want the largest corporate headquarters in the state of Louisiana to continue to be in the city of Monroe," Mayo said.