The telecommunications equipment maker--one of the world's largest--has a number of plants in the state but the decision would mainly affect the company's major plant here, which employs 2,800 people. According to company spokeswoman Mary Ward, Lucent is in "conversations" with a contract manufacturer. "Much of the work would move to a contract manufacturer," she tells GlobeSt.com. "There is no decision about what happens to the building."

Ward notes that the company has moved to contract manufacturers at its plants in Oklahoma City and Columbus, OH. "Its new business model and a new approach to manufacturing," she points out. Lucent started the move a few years ago to "take advantage of the manufacturing expertise of contract manufacturers," says Ward. This will allow the company to apply its resources to communications where it has the most expertise, she adds. Lucent has recently undergone a series of layoffs and plant closings in an effort to weather the current recession.