Frontier Technology Inc. to Build Secure Facility in Colorado Springs, Creating 200 New Jobs
The Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has announced today that Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI), a leading provider of deep data expertise and mission-tailored services and solutions to the United States Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, has selected Colorado Springs for expansion. Here, FTI will open its secure Operational Research Bridge for Innovation & Technology (ORBIT Center) for industry and government partners.
“Colorado Springs possesses one of the most diversified and multidimensional, defense economies in the United States. Powered by a highly educated workforce, cutting-edge technologies, and a thriving ecosystem, Southern Colorado supports innovative technologies and growing companies,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO for Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “We are excited about FTI’s business expansion, a boost to our space and defense sector, at the heart of national and global security.”
The 46,000-square-foot secure facility expands FTI’s current office footprint in Colorado Springs and will provide the Department of Defense and its mission partners with a Center of Excellence to foster collaboration and knowledge transfer in the space operations domain. Customers and partners will be supported by FTI’s deep mission data expertise, access to FTI’s vast library of operational technologies, and highly secure infrastructure for developing solutions enabling timely and actionable understanding of individual and joint space-related operational environments.
“FTI is proud to expand our space-related operations with the FTI ORBIT Center in Colorado Springs,” said Jose Hidalgo, President, FTI. “We’re pleased to have been awarded strong growth incentives by the City of Colorado Springs, and we look forward to increasing our investment and bringing hundreds of new, high-paying jobs to the local community over the next decade.”
FTI expects to invest $15 million in the new facility and operations, which will create 200 new well-paying jobs with an average annual salary of $131,000, in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering, advanced visualization, and cybersecurity. The FTI ORBIT Center is expected to begin operations by December 31, 2024.
“I am pleased to see companies like FTI grow within Colorado Springs’ vibrant space community and continue to provide world-class support to the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community,” said Congressman Doug Lamborn. “Current events prove that the Joint Force relies on the space domain to deter our adversaries and win our nation’s wars should deterrence fail. FTI’s $15 million, 200 job expansion showcases the vital role Colorado Springs plays in our national security. I look forward to seeing its contributions in the future.”
The Colorado Springs City Council approved up to $102,590 in performance-based incentives in the form of sales and use tax rebates on eligible purchases of construction materials, machinery, and equipment for FTI, over a 10-year period. These incentives are contingent upon the company, referred to as Project Star Trek throughout the City review process, meeting net new job creation and minimum capital investment requirements in Colorado Springs.
“We are grateful to be selected by FTI for this exciting expansion,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “The company’s decision to expand its operations to our city is a testament to our business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, exceptional quality of life, and strong defense economy to include space, aerospace, technology, and cybersecurity. As Mayor, I am committed to fostering an environment where companies like FTI can thrive, creating high-quality jobs and contributing to the economic growth of our community. We look forward to working closely with FTI as they integrate further into our community.”
FTI currently employs 60 personnel in Colorado Springs and operates in 34 States and offers seven facilities of varying clearance levels nationwide.