Wireless equipment maker JMA completes expansion in Clay, adds 288 jobs (original) (raw)
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Clay, N.Y. -- JMA Wireless, a maker of wireless communications equipment, has completed a $34 million expansion that has created 288 new full-time jobs at its world headquarters in Clay.
JMA moved its antenna systems group operations from Maryland to its headquarters at 7645 Henry Clay Blvd. earlier this year. At the same time, it built an 8,000-square-foot expansion onto its headquarters and renovated a 21,000-square-foot building next door at 7641 Henry Clay Blvd., turning it into a sales center.
The moves have led to the creation of 288 new jobs in Clay, adding to the 409 existing jobs at the headquarters, for a total of 697. Its manufacturing operations in Clay run 24 hours a day in three shifts.
JMA was founded by its CEO, John Mezzalingua, four and a half years ago, initially employing about 150 people. The company now employs more than 1,000 people worldwide. In addition to its headquarters in Clay, it operates research and development centers in Richmond, Va., Chicago, Bologna, Italy, and the Netherlands.
To encourage the company to move its antenna systems group operations from Maryland, the state of New York provided JMA with a 5millioncapitalgrantand5 million capital grant and 5millioncapitalgrantand3 million in tax credits under the Excelsior Jobs Program.
Under an agreement with the state, JMA committed to creating at least 145 new jobs in Clay within five years. But the company said it met that commitment within nine months and has now far exceeded the hiring goal with its rapid expansion. Its website lists more than 30 more open positions in Clay, including engineers, technicians, machinists and assembly workers.
During a brief appearance at JMA Wednesday to announce the $8 million in state assistance, Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the company for expanding in Central New York.
JMA, whose corporate name is John Mezzalingua Associates LLC, makes connectors, components, repeaters and antenna systems for wireless industry customers all over the world. The company is privately owned and does not publicly disclose its revenues or profits.
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