Governor Rendell: Software Development Company to Establish R&D Center, Create 230 Jobs in Southwestern PA

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A leading software development and marketing company will establish a new research and development center in the Pittsburgh region, creating at least 230 jobs, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

The Governor said Smith Micro Software Inc. will open a new research and development center at an undetermined site in southwestern Pennsylvania that will house a data center and other professional operations. The $7 million project will create the new jobs within three years.

"Smith Micro could have chosen to build this research and development center almost anywhere," said Governor Rendell. "The fact that Smith Micro chose to open its facility here and create more than 230 high-paying jobs in the greater Pittsburgh area is very exciting, and it speaks well of the commonwealth's economic development efforts and the talented workers in the region."

Smith Micro develops and markets mobile software products and services and an extensive line of PC software products for business and home markets.  Founded in 1982, the company is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., and has offices in Europe and Asia.

"Despite the national recession, we must continue to invest in economic development projects like this one that help Pennsylvanians compete and succeed in the high-tech global economy," said Governor Rendell. "Our investments in quality projects that create jobs and leverage private investment help lay the foundation for strong economic growth as the economy recovers."

"Pittsburgh is a booming technology city and opening a new research and development center here will not only strategically expand Smith Micro's global footprint, but will also fuel job growth throughout the region," said Smith Micro CEO William W. Smith Jr. "Smith Micro was seeking a creative environment with a highly skilled, hardworking talent pool, as well as access to a great university system rich in technology and innovation.  Pittsburgh more than fulfills these requirements and we're excited to break ground on our new research and development center and expand into another region in the United States."

The project was coordinated at the state level by the Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.

Pennsylvania provided the company with a $1.8 million funding offer for the project from the Department of Community and Economic Development. The offer includes a $1 million opportunity grant, $125,000 in job training assistance, and $696,000 in job creation tax credits.  

"Smith Micro is a home run for our robust information and communications technology sector in the Pittsburgh region. An abundant pool of some of the best-educated tech talent and competitively priced real estate options set Pittsburgh apart. We welcome Smith Micro to our region and are thrilled that it is joining our network of more than 1,600 technology firms that are proud to call Pittsburgh home," said Dewitt Peart, president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.  

The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance is assisting Smith Micro with site selection and provided regional workforce information.

Since January 2003, GAT has successfully completed 1,183 projects statewide.  The projects represent commitments for 128,502 new jobs and 301,119 retained jobs.  The commonwealth has offered more than $2.2 billion in funding to these projects, which will leverage more than $16 billion in additional investment.

For more information on Smith Micro, visit www.smithmicro.com.

For more information on the Governor's Action Team and other Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contacts:

Luke Webber, DCED; 717-783-1132

Michael Smith, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor