Leonardo Electronics US, a provider of next-gen technologies for defense, security, medical, and industrial applications and a US subsidiary of Leonardo, expands its regional presence in Oro Valley, Arizona, north of Tucson.

The company has purchased 12 acres in Innovation Park and is planning the construction of a new state-of-the-art semiconductor laser manufacturing facility. Leonardo Electronics US has been present in the Tucson region since 2009, through Lasertel, and it has outgrown its current facility. The new Innovation Park location will comprise approximately 120,000 square feet of manufacturing and administrative offices. Construction is anticipated to begin at the end of Q1, 2022.

The US subsidiary's laser operations currently employs around 200 people. The full expansion over five years will add an additional 170 jobs to the Tucson facility, primarily in engineering, production, quality control, IT, HR, marketing, business development, purchasing and finance.

Potential Town of Oro Valley incentives include reimbursement of public infrastructure investments, impact fee reductions and permitting fee allowances, subject to final approval by Council in the near future.

In addition to Sun Corridor Inc., partners in the project include the Arizona Commerce Authority, Pima County, the Town of Oro Valley, VentureWest, Trammel Crow, SmithGroup and Sundt Construction.

Matthew Keegan, President & CEO, Leonardo Electronics US said "This new larger facility will support our business growth across all key market segments. We ultimately selected Innovation Park in Oro Valley due to its proximity to our existing employee base and exceptional talent in the region, which is one of the leading photonics technology hubs in the country."