AURORA, IL — A new fiber optics “micro-factory” in Aurora is set to help provide the infrastructure for Illinois’ push to boost access to high-speed broadband over the next few years. The facility is also expected to bring at least a few dozen new jobs to the city.
Fiber optics supplier viaPhoton said it plans to hire 30 people immediately and up to 200 more over the next five years to work at the 25,000-square-foot factory, which will build and supply fiber optics for data centers and 5G infrastructure in Illinois, according to a news release.
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The company also said it will offer apprenticeships for up to a dozen people, who will receive on-the-job training.
viaPhtoton chose to open its state-of-the-art facility in Aurora due to “its proximity to highly skilled talent” and because Illinois is “one of the nation’s fastest-growing data center markets,” the release states.
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Baber Abbas, CEO of viaPhoton, said the company will try to disrupt the fiber optics manufacturing industry, which is mostly based overseas.
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“We are very excited and proud to leverage advanced manufacturing technology to bring high-quality, good-paying jobs back to the U.S. and Chicagoland region,” Abbas said. “We are thrilled to partner with the State of Illinois to advance our shared goals of expanding digital infrastructure, preparing our local workforce for the jobs of the future, while putting Illinois back on the manufacturing map.”
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Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin championed viaPhoton’s move to the city and said he expects to form “an impactful relationship with viaPhoton as we bring new talent and technologies to our city and state.”
“As Aurora continues to transition from the City of Lights to the City of Light Speed, viaPhoton underscores the significance of Aurora’s ideal location as a technology hub,” Irvin said.
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