Teal background image.

Empire State Development Announces VIAVI Solutions Will Expand Operations in New York State

High-Tech Optical and Security Technology Company Will Grow its Operations in the Town of Henrietta Creating and Retaining almost 70 Jobs

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced high-tech communications network services provider and high performance thin-film optical coatings manufacturer VIAVI Solutions, which acquired locally based RPC Photonics in 2018, is growing its operations in the Town of Henrietta, Monroe County. The company will construct a new, 30,000 square-foot plant at its John Street location and will create up to 23 new jobs;44 jobs will be retained. The expansion is expected to be completed in February of 2020.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, "The Finger Lakes region is home to talent-rich tech companies like VIAVI Solutions that continue to expand and create good-paying jobs here, reflecting New York State’s strategic investment in business expansion and regional growth.”

The new facility will replace the current 17,000 square-foot plant, providing the needed infrastructure necessary for enhanced product development and manufacturing. The additional space will include the construction of a state-of-the-art, ISO, class 5 cleanroom at the Henrietta location.

VIAVI Senior Vice President & General Manager for the Optical Security and Performance Products Business Luke Scrivanich said, “RPC Photonics was acquired by VIAVI in order to expand our offerings in the 3D sensing space and to leverage its resources in adjacent sectors. We look forward to expanding and modernizing our capabilities in Monroe County. This area is renowned for its talent in optics technology and we expect to continue to recruit and hire from the local colleges and universities.”

VIAVI focuses its operations on the optical security and performance products business in high performance custom optics, by providing light management solutions for the consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, government and anti-counterfeiting markets. 

ESD is assisting the successful company with its consolidation in Monroe County by providing up to $400,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Greater Rochester Enterprise was also instrumental in ensuring Viavi Solutions would expand and grow in New York State instead of moving its local manufacturing operations to the company’s facilities in Asia.

State Senator Patrick Gallivan said, The expansion of VIAVI Solutions is testament to the continued success of this high-tech industry and the quality of the local workforce. In addition to retaining dozens of existing jobs, the creation of nearly two dozen additional positions will provide new opportunities for students studying at local colleges and universities. The investment also sends a positive message about the continued economic growth of Henrietta, Monroe County and the entire Finger Lakes Region.”

State Assembly Member Harry Bronson said, “I applaud Luke Scrivanich and the team from VIAVI Solutions for their ongoing commitment to our region. Today’s announcement by the company and Empire State Development Acting Commissioner Eric Gertler shows that the Rochester area has a strong, diverse, and skilled workforce and is in an economic position to create jobs for the future. I look forward to VIAVI Solution’s growth and the addition of new jobs at their expanded Henrietta campus.”

Henrietta Town Supervisor Steve Schultz said, “Being located near two nationally ranked research universities each with an emphasis on different portions of the Photonics industry, Monroe County, and especially Henrietta, is a prime location for a photonics company to expand operations. We are very glad that VIAVi recognizes the strength of our area and is willing to invest in the acquisition of RPC Photonics and the expansion of their facilities which will include the creation of an additional 23 jobs in the industry. Thank you to RPC Photonics, VIAVI, and Empire State Development for working together to make this exciting opportunity a reality.”

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "From our historic strength in manufacturing and optics, to the talent harnessed by our world-class colleges and universities, Monroe County is the perfect place for VIAVI Solutions to grow. Monroe County is proud to be home to VIAVI as they create more jobs in our community and we offer our unique one-of-a-kind workforce development programs to support their continued success in the future."

Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Matt Hurlbutt said,” By acquiring locally based RPC Photonics, VIAVI has tapped into the robust optics, photonics, and imaging ecosystem and technical expertise available in the Greater Rochester, NY region. VIAVI leaders plan to expand their manufacturing capacity here in Henrietta, NY, to meet expected sales growth in the 3D imaging and sensing market.

For additional information about VIAVI, click here.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.

Contact:

Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055

Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313