A Wayne County optics manufacturer is spending $20 million to expand its operations in the town of Ontario and create up to 50 jobs, Empire State Development announced Thursday.
ESD said Optimax Systems Inc. is adding a 36,000-square-foot addition to its existing facility on Dean Parkway off Route 104.
ESD, the state’s economic development agency, said the expanded operations, with support from ESD, “will allow Optimax Systems to raise the bar when it comes to supplying optics for its customers and will help the company solidify its brand and credibility in the worldwide optics manufacturing community.”
Besides the 50 jobs to be created over the next five years, another 355 positions will be retained, ESD said. In 2018, the company committed to creating up to 59 jobs at the site through previous support from the state and it has already exceeded that commitment, ESD noted.
The building expansion is expected to be completed in 2023.
“Optimax continues to position itself at the cutting edge of the Optics manufacturing industry,” said company President Joe Spilman. “As the company has grown and we have established footholds in new markets, demand for our work is increasing at a pace significantly faster than anything we have seen in the past. This expansion and the associated investment in people and equipment ensures that we can continue to learn and grow with our customers. Empire State Development has once again stepped up, providing support for this expansion and ensuring that this growth continues in the Finger Lakes Region. We are thrilled to partner with ESD and look forward to continuing our mission of driving customer success and employee prosperity for years to come.”
ESD said it is providing up to $700,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in return for job-creation commitments and the retention of hundreds of existing jobs. Wayne County and Greater Rochester Enterprise also are offering assistance for the project, ESD noted.
“New York state’s strategic investments have supported the Finger Lakes Region’s continued growth as an optics, photonics and imaging hub,” said Hope Knight, ESD’s acting CEO and commissioner. “Our focused commitment to workforce development and 21st century jobs means that companies like Optimax Systems can continue to grow here, with a pipeline to the tech talent they need.”
Founded in 1991, Optimax Systems focuses on technologies that include fiber optic telecommunications, solid-state lighting, digital photography, displays and diagnostic medicine. They also operate in the aerospace, government research and defense industries.
Original Source: Finger Lakes Times