Motorola plans SLC expansion

The Silvus Technologies business of Motorola Solutions Inc. will expand its manufacturing operations in Salt Lake City in a $97 million project.

The project in the city's Northwest Quadrant will generate 200 new jobs. An incentive for 50 high-paying jobs was approved by the Governor's Office of Economic Development board at a recent meeting.

Jim Companik, Motorola Solutions' director of manufacturing, said the expansion will feature a 165,000-square-foot facility.

"The need for this [is] Silvus Technologies' product line is expanding at a very fast rate, necessitating a large manufacturing expansion outside of their Los Angeles home," Companik told the GOED board, adding that the growth will take place this year — "a tight timeline," he said.

"We believe this project aligns with the state's focus on both high-wage jobs and targeting industries like advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense," he said.

Chicago-based Motorola Solutions specializes in communications, video security, access control and command center technology for public safety and enterprise customers, including land mobile radio, command center software and AI-enabled video security. It says its products lead to safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately safer nations. It has clients in more than 100 countries and more than 23,000 employees worldwide.

Acquired last August for $4.4 billion, Silvus Technologies focuses on mobile ad hoc networks and wireless communication. Motorola said the Salt Lake project will enable it to meet the growing demand for advanced tactical networking solutions from Silvus Technologies that are used in the military and public safety sectors, including its StreamCaster MANET radios.

"Today's announcement represents an exciting milestone for our company," Jack Molloy, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Motorola Solutions, said in a prepared statement. "Utah's strong business climate provides an ideal environment for us to confidently expand our operations for Silvus Technologies and meet the growing demand for mission-critical communication solutions from our defense and public safety customers."

The GOED-approved tax credit from the Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (EDTIF) program is for up to $830,359 over 10 years. The 50 incentivized jobs are expected to pay an average of $114,701. New state wages over a decade are projected to total more than $48 million. New state tax revenue is projected at $3.3 million during that time.

Lance Soffe, GOED's senior vice president of economic growth, described the project to the GOED board as "a great project, bringing cutting-edge innovation, high-tech talent and the future of aerial public safety technology. This further cements Utah as a premier destination for aerospace and defense, drone, aerial companies and opportunities."

GOED board member Vic Hockett commended the company's leadership for their willingness to partner with educational institutions, from K-12 to tech colleges and higher education.

Peter Makowski, deputy director of business development for Salt Lake City, expressed the city's support for Motorola's "investment in our city and bringing quality jobs to Salt Lake."

"We are excited to welcome this significant expansion of Motorola Solutions' Silvus Technologies operations to Utah," Gov. Spencer Cox said in a prepared statement. "Utah has built a reputation for developing top talent and supporting companies that are advancing America's security and technological leadership. Motorola Solutions' investment will create high-quality jobs and strengthen Utah's growing role in aerospace, defense and advanced communications manufacturing."

In a prepared statement, Jefferson Moss, GOED commissioner, said the expansion is "a monumental win for Utah's long-term economic strategy."

"This expansion is a textbook example of our strategic framework for economic development in action," he said. "We are proud to support Motorola Solutions' continued growth that reinforces Utah's rapid emergence as a premier destination for information technology, aerospace and defense, and advanced manufacturing industries."

"We see an ideal opportunity in this expansion," said Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority. "As Utah's economy grows, logistics demands grow, and it's imperative that we as a state come together to sustainably support this momentum in our supply chain. Motorola's commitment to scaling in Salt Lake County further establishes Utah as a pivotal hub in global industry."

"We see an ideal opportunity in this expansion. As Utah's economy grows, logistics demands grow, and it's imperative that we as a state come together to sustainably support this momentum in our supply chain. Motorola's commitment to scaling in Salt Lake County further establishes Utah as a pivotal hub in global industry."

"Motorola Solutions' expansion reflects one of Salt Lake City's greatest strengths: We are connected in every sense of the word," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "With the airport just minutes away, direct access to I-80 and I-15, and a dynamic downtown nearby, companies can grow here–and their teams can experience the restaurants, culture and outdoor access that make people proud to call Salt Lake City home."

Molloy said the expansion would give Motorola the ability to scale production for technologies "that serve some of the most demanding defense and public safety environments in the world. The Northwest Quadrant offers the kind of connectivity, workforce access and business-ready environment that supports our long-term growth."

The UIPA incentive provides an annual assessed property tax differential rebate equivalent to 15 percent of the differential received by UIPA. The annual rebate is contingent on Motorola Solutions meeting all incentive requirements and the project's continued operation within the area for its initial lifespan.

"This is exactly the type of project the Northwest Quadrant is positioned to support," said Abby Osborne, chair of the UIPA board and chief of staff for the Utah House of Representatives. "Motorola Solutions is bringing together advanced manufacturing, defense technology and mission-critical communications in a location built for connection. With access to major highways, rail, air cargo and a strong regional workforce, this project reinforces Utah's role as a place where companies can make, move and scale products that matter."

Moss said the expansion is an example of Utah's coordinated economic development strategy.

"Our EDTIF incentive allows us to strategically strengthen Utah's economic foundation by focusing on industries that we believe will be vital for our future," he said. "We are confident that the success of Motorola Solutions will contribute to Utah's success, and we are proud to support it."

GOED does not provide upfront cash incentives. Each year that an incentivized company meets the obligations in its contract with GOEO, it will qualify to receive a portion of the new, additional state taxes the company paid to the state.