Around 40 jobs are set to be eliminated next month when AT&T closes its National Directory Assistance service center at 720 Frederica. According to the Messenger-Inquirer, Bellsouth opened the center in 1997, with plans to eventually hire 150 operators. But company officials say the significant reduction in the need for directory assistance and operator-assisted calls is forcing that part of the buisness to close locally. Other AT&T divisions in the building will continue. Employees affected can either be transferred via the Job Bank within the company or receive a severance package.