Gov. Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera welcome Colorado’s newest member of the aerospace industry, State out-competes Texas and Florida
COLORADO SPRINGS - Governor Jared Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that Orbit Fab, a multi-orbit refueling servicing company (The Gas Station in Space™) has chosen to relocate its headquarters and engineering team from San Francisco to Colorado.
“More and more companies are moving to Colorado because of quality of life and our state is the best place to live, work and build a business. We’re thrilled that so many innovative businesses are recognizing this, investing in Colorado and creating jobs,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We’re pleased to welcome Orbit Fab to our state and look forward to watching their growth.”
Orbit Fab joins companies PteroDynamics and iSpace who have recently relocated, expanded, and created new jobs in Colorado under the Polis-Primavera administration.
“Colorado is home to the highest concentration of private aerospace employment in the country and a world-renowned center of innovation and research,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “We are excited that Orbit Fab is joining Colorado’s thriving and dynamic aerospace ecosystem.”
Orbit Fab anticipates creating approximately 196 new jobs in aerospace and software engineering, as well as technicians and business development professionals. The average annual wage for these positions is anticipated to be $95,867, higher than 100 percent of each of the areas they are exploring.
Colorado competed for the Orbit Fab headquarters with Florida and Texas.
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet was on hand at the space symposium in Colorado Springs and congratulated the company.
"Colorado leads our country in space across national security and private industry," said Senator Bennet."Orbit Fab is an example of how Colorado's leadership in research and development in space technology is creating jobs and driving our economy. I look forward to seeing how the capabilities of Orbit Fab will grow existing space businesses and expand opportunities for future space endeavors."
“While there are several states with an aerospace presence in the U.S., Colorado made the most sense for our team,” said Daniel Faber, CEO at Orbit Fab. “From the beginning of our selection process, the combination of Metro Denver EDC’s industry data and collaborative approach made it clear that we would be joining a thriving aerospace environment with a ton of growth potential. We have no doubt that we’ll hit the ground running in Denver.”
Aerospace is a key industry, further diversifying Colorado’s nationally-renowned aerospace cluster which includes military installations and command, private aerospace, academic and research institutions, and government entities along the Front Range.
“Colorado continues to be a magnet for aerospace companies large and small. They’ve realized there’s really no place better for an aerospace business with a groundbreaking idea,” said J. J. Ament, CEO of the Metro Denver EDC. “We’ve built a large and collaborative environment focused on supporting and advancing innovation – and offer a warm welcome to the team from Orbit Fab. We’re thrilled to have you join us.”
For more information about Orbit Fab or for a list of job opportunities, visit their website.
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About Orbit Fab
Orbit Fab is a venture-backed startup with a vision of a bustling in-space economy that supports both existing space businesses (communications and Earth observation) and new industries like space tourism, manufacturing and mining. The first step is achieving ubiquitous availability of satellite propellant in Earth Orbit, expanding the operational potential of new and existing space assets and providing unprecedented business model flexibility for satellite owners. The future for satellites is no longer restricted to the fuel they are launched with. It is about getting the fuel and other materials they need, where and when they need it, to enable business models never before thought possible.
About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, we strive to advance the State’s economy through financial and technical assistance that fosters local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado. OEDIT offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives. Our office includes the Global Business Development division; Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Colorado Creative Industries; Business Financing & Incentives division; the Colorado Small Business Development Network; Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media; the Minority Business Office; Employee Ownership Office; and Rural Opportunity Office. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov.
About Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
Often called a “center of influence,” the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation was the nation’s first regional economic development organization. From Castle Rock to Fort Collins and Golden to Greeley, we represent the nine counties and 66 communities that contribute to our robust economy and incredible culture. All told, the EDC’s service territory makes up two-thirds of the Colorado GDP and approximately three-quarters of the state’s population.
Thanks to the leadership and generosity of 250 of Colorado’s most influential companies, the Metro Denver EDC works to “future-proof” the Colorado economy through corporate attraction and retention; workforce development; domestic and global marketing; investments in infrastructure; and public policy that fosters a pro-business climate.