imgres-2AT&T announced plans Wednesday to open a new center for technology innovation and collaboration in Austin.

The Dallas-based company did not provide details on how many people the center will employ or its cost. It did report its making a multi-million dollar investment. Currently, AT&T employs about 2,600 people in the Austin area.

In addition, AT&T is awarding a series of technology grants to local technology organizations and is sponsoring the 10th anniversary of Austin Fusebox Festival.

The innovation center will focus on education, data analytics, video and mobile applications and solutions. It will also include a studio open to community members to create unique content for AT&T’s TV, online and mobile platforms.

“The new AT&T center is being designed to help connect Austin in new and rewarding ways based on community member input,” Dahna Hull, vice president and general manager, Austin, AT&T Services, said in a news release.

AT&T is also rolling out an all-fiber AT&T U-Verse with GigaPowerSM service, which the company announced last year.
AT&T’s new innovation center will serve as a catalyst for collaboration among community leaders, residents, educators, technologies and entrepreneurs.

“Opening a center for innovation in the heart of the city will create even greater opportunities for Austin’s entrepreneurs, technology developers, and students,” Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said. “AT&T will have an opportunity to work closely with the many talents in our city, and the community stands to benefit from the exciting collaboration that will take place in this facility. We are fortunate to have companies like AT&T that appreciate our culture and invest in our future.”

In addition, AT&T announced plans to award endowments to the Austin Technology Council, the Austin Technology Incubator, Capital Factory, Entrepreneurs Foundation and Tech Ranch.

“The community investment initiative will also support the 10-year anniversary of the Austin Fusebox Festival, a 12-day hybrid arts festival promoting local culture, arts and technology, planned for April 2014,” according to a news release.