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A Beltsville company that engineers and develops antennas opened its newest facility this week, providing the opportunity for 100 new jobs.
Antenna Research Associates, which was established in the 1960s, commemorated the expansion at 11850 Baltimore Ave. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D).
Privately held Antenna Research, with 175 employees, specializes in commercial and military work.
Most of the company's operations are being moved to the new site from its 46-year-old original plant on Indian Creek, said spokeswoman Jasmine Wahi. Antenna Research plans to keep the original location open for the time being, but it probably will close later.
The new 72,000-square-foot research facility represents the first expansion near the original plant, Wahi said. The divisions that will operate in the new plant include production, manufacturing, the machine shop and the company's Mobile and Tactical Radio Frequency Unit. The latter focuses on designing developing tactical antennas and systems for the military.
Wahi said the new facility's manufacturing capabilities will be much greater than those of the original plant and the company's other manufacturing operation in Pembroke, Mass.
As for the 100 jobs anticipated for the facility, Wahi said the site "certainly has room for it."
"Any time a business is creating jobs in the community, it's something to be excited about," said Michael Raia, a spokesman for Brown. "This company fit right in with the type of business the lieutenant governor has done a lot of work with over the last 2½ years. It's a good sign when a business is embarking on an expansion."