No. 5 - URS coming to Linton

URS Corporation, a long-standing supplier to Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) since 1998, made major changes this year.

First, the company announced on Sept. 23 it would take over tenancy of Linton's former Sunbeam plant, located on 12th Street NE.

That tenancy, through a lease arrangement with property owner Bloomfield State Bank, is an expansion which could utilize up to 150 workers.

However, not all those will be new, and some will likely transfer from WestGate.

The announcement was voted the No. 5 story for 2011.

"This is a big deal. It's a real big deal. It's a good day for Linton," said Mayor Patti Jones, announcing the deal with her successor John Wilkes. "It's questionable how many new opportunities it will gain for our particular city. A lot of them will be people coming along with the contract. I am sure there will be some new jobs, but the County Option Income Tax (COIT) will be based in Greene County."

City officials hope the expansion of CRS from its WestGate Technology Park location to a second site in Linton is the beginning of a new influx of technology to the city.

In early November, URS was awarded a contract potentially worth as much as $42.9 million over the next two years with the U.S. Department of Defense.

That pact will have the company support the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

The deal is initially for one year, with an option to continue for a second year.

Under the terms of the contract, URS will be responsible for installing new computer and communications systems for the Marine Corps and upkeep on older, legacy systems which predated their work.

URS currently employs over 300 workers in the area as support for services at Crane NWSC.

The company was also the first tenant at the WestGate Technology Park and completed a $2 million expansion in November 2010.

The firm built a 26,000 square-foot facility nearly four years ago but quickly outgrew that space, adding labs, meeting rooms and offices in the expansion.