Cox opens Acadiana headquarters

• By KEVIN BLANCHARD
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Mar 7, 2008 - Page: 1BA - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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LAFAYETTE — Boudin, crawfish, zydeco and gospel music and talk of competition marked the grand opening of Cox Communication’s new $14 million Acadiana headquarters.

Cox Greater Louisiana General Manager Jacqui Vines said the new Eraste Landry Road building — at 55,000 square feet, modern work environments, customer service areas and “green” design — represents Cox’s commitment to Acadiana.

The building houses Cox’s local call center, sales and technical support, customer service, Cox Business, Cox Media, engineering, construction and people services.

While not mentioning by name the telecommunications business being built now by Lafayette Utilities System, Vines said the new headquarters also represents Cox’s desire to “put a stake in the ground” and compete.

“While on the outside it seems like glass, brick and mortar, it represents our passionate … intent to stay in Acadiana, build on our successes and compete,” Vines said.

Cox Senior Vice President for Western Operations Claus Kroeger came in from Atlanta for the event.

He acknowledged “fierce competition” from AT&T, Dish Network, DirecTV and “others,” but said Cox is ready to compete.

“We believe we have the best people, products and services in the marketplace,” Kroeger said. “But only by continually investing in our products and people will we be able to compete for many years to come.”

Several local business and political figures were among the hundreds attending the grand opening, including state Sen. Mike Michot, R-Lafayette; Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Guidry; and Broussard Mayor Charles Langlinais.

Langlinais thanked Cox for its investment in the area, adding that he’d drop negotiations with LUS to run fiber-optic cable down the right of way of the under-construction Ambassador Caffery South Parkway if Cox would agree to do the job.

Cox Acadiana serves Lafayette, Acadia, Iberia, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion parishes, with local service centers in each of those parishes.

While a few LUS employees were scattered throughout the crowd Thursday, City-Parish President Joey Durel was unable to take up an invitation to speak, Vines said.

“I have always found Joey to be a voice of the people — a humble, yet passionate and contagious believer in Lafayette. What makes him extraordinary has been his ability to raise the profile of the city on the state, national and international level,” Vines said. “I hope and trust that we at Cox will always be able to count on him for his thoughtful and judicious support of our local employees and operations.”