Windstream Corp. (WIN.N) has agreed to buy NuVox Inc., a Greenville, N.C.-based CLEC. The deal is valued at $643 million, including $280 million in cash, $183 million in stock and the assumption of $180 million in debt. NuVox had raised nearly $500 million in venture capital funding. Current shareholders include M/C Venture Partners, KKR, Columbia Capital and Wachovia Capital Partners.

PRESS RELEASE

Windstream Corporation (NYSE: WIN) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NuVox, Inc., a privately held competitive local exchange carrier based in Greenville, S.C., in a transaction valued at approximately $643 million.

Windstream expects to issue approximately 18.7 million fixed shares of stock valued at $183 million, based on Windstream’s closing stock price on Nov. 2, 2009, and pay approximately $280 million in cash as part of the transaction. Windstream also will assume estimated net debt of approximately $180 million. Windstream intends to finance the acquisition with existing cash and current capacity on its revolving credi