JMA Wireless has officially opened the first building at manufacturing campus being built in one of Syracuse’s poorest neighborhoods.
Manufacturing has already started at the $50 million facility, which was constructed on the former site of Coyne Textile, a family-owned industrial laundry that went bankrupt in 2015.
JMA relocated its operations to Syracuse’s southeast gateway adjacent to the city center on Cortland Avenue. The global innovator of software-based 5G technology will invest $100 million in this multi-phase project, a campus that will span a city block. JMA manufactures its most advanced 5G equipment at the site, including radios, embedded antennas, and millimeter wave products.
“JMA’s expansion into Syracuse will unlock hundreds of new jobs and further establish Central New York as a hub for innovation,” Governor Kathy Hochul said at the official opening on Thursday. “This multi-million-dollar investment is a testament to our transformative, regionally focused economic development strategy. By initiating policies that attract growing businesses to our communities, we are building economic momentum across Upstate New York and upholding our commitment to creating the jobs and technologies of the future.”
The New York State-supported project complements efforts by the city and county to develop a strong tech corridor from downtown into the South Side, making Central New York a center for 5G and smart city development. Empire State Development is providing a $5 million Upstate Revitalization Initiative grant to assist with this project.
JMA also invested $34 million in 2017 to relocate its out-of-state operations to Liverpool. There, the company exceeded their hiring commitment of 145 jobs, creating more than 200 new jobs at that location as well as meeting the investment commitment in half the expected time.
“This is an historic moment and the critical first step to restoring American leadership in global wireless technology, as we establish Syracuse as a national 5G hub,” said JMA Chief Executive Officer John Mezzalingua.
The project continues a transformation underway in downtown Syracuse that includes the revitalization of the historic Hotel Syracuse, now known as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, expansion of the Tech Garden, which is helping forward-thinking entrepreneurs to grow their ideas, the renovation of the former Excellus building into the Icon Tower multi-use facility, redevelopment of the former Post Standard building, and the establishment of online marketplace and software business TCG Players’ innovative headquarters on South Warren Street. Syracuse was also named as a round five, $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner.
“Syracuse is making its mark as a smart city around the world, and JMA’s new 5G Manufacturing Campus on the Southside serves as a perfect example of the city’s progress,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “This historic investment will support the renaissance that is occurring across the city and will supplement the Syracuse Surge – our strategy for inclusive growth in the new economy.”
