Advanced Photonix relocated its headquarters from California to Michigan in 2006. Now, upon completion of its new 5,000 square foot research and development facility in Ann Arbor, it will consolidate employees from California and Wisconsin to Michigan as well as add more local hires, adding an estimated 105 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade.
The company supplies optoelectronic semiconductor components, subsystems and terahertz instrumentation to its global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) clients. Its new Ann Arbor facility provides space for manufacturing as well as R&D.
Advanced Photonix was provided up to $1.2 million in tax incentives from the state of Michigan and the city of Ann Arbor. A University of Michigan analysis projects that the company will generate more than $44.2 million in personal income for Michigan workers over the life of the tax credit.
Besides incentives, all three officers of Advanced Photonix had another reason to move to Michigan: local ties. Rick Kurtz, chairman and CEO, graduated from Michigan State and Eastern Michigan Universities; CFO Robin Risser received his MBA from U of M; and Steven Williamson, CTO, was a U of M research scientist.
Apparently, you can come home again.
Source: Advanced Photonix
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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