$2.4 million ICAPP Advantage project to increase the number of IT professionals in the region

Savannah, GA—Armstrong Atlantic State University and Georgia Southern University have received approval from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to participate in a $2.4 million public/private partnership with VeriSign, Inc. The partnership will help VeriSign meet its expansion needs at its location in Savannah and will prepare forty Georgians to enter the workforce and vie for highly competitive jobs as JAVA programmers.

The partnership is a project of the University System of Georgia’s Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) initiative. VeriSign’s Savannah organization has been a full partner in the design of the ICAPP curriculum, working with Armstrong Atlantic and Georgia Southern to identify the company’s specific instructional needs. ICAPP is providing $1.2 million to pay faculty costs, and VeriSign is providing in-kind contributions of equipment and staff salaries valued at $850,000. Armstrong Atlantic is contributing approximately $350,000 in classroom space.

"JAVA programmers are in short supply nationwide, especially in Savannah," said S. Hart Williford, General Manager and Senior Vice President, VeriSign Telecommunication Services Wireless Solutions based in Savannah. "We tried to find Java programmers but they are in high demand and low supply in the marketplace. ICAPP makes it possible for us to meet customer demand, sustain our growth, and create new jobs in Georgia."

According to Howard Morrison, board member of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism in Savannah, "we are very proud of this project because VeriSign’s Savannah group has grown from a local high-tech company to become a key component of VeriSign’s global telecommunication services strategy. We’re excited that this region is growing great knowledge jobs. This exemplifies Governor Barnes’ vision to develop a high tech corridor from Savannah to Statesboro, by building a highly educated workforce through Georgia’s university system."

Through ICAPP Advantage, Armstrong Atlantic and Georgia Southern will educate forty students as JAVA programmers over two years. Students completing the twenty-six week program of study will earn a certificate and thirty-six semester hours of credit that may be applied toward the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at either Armstrong Atlantic or Georgia Southern. JAVA programmers have potential annual starting salaries beginning at $50,000.

The Savannah location of VeriSign is a leading provider of billing, customer care, and data management solutions for wireless telecommunications carriers. ICAPP is the economic development program of the University System of Georgia. ICAPP Advantage is a direct economic development incentive that helps companies meet immediate human resources needs. More information on ICAPP is available at www.ICAPP.org.

October 25, 2002