PreSonus Audio Electronics recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new high-tech headquarters and research facility in Baton Rouge, LA, expected to be complete in late summer 2013.
Designed by local architects Ritter Maher and developed by Moniotte Investments, the new 44,000-square-foot building-located at 19151 Highland Road will cost approximately $8.3 million, including land and development.
The facility will easily accommodate at least 125 employees, which is important because PreSonus is continuing to grow and hire. And, the facility will offer many amenities not available in the company’s current space.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal led the list of guests of honor at the groundbreaking ceremony, attending in recognition of PreSonus’ contributions to the state and local economy.
PreSonus has expanded from 49 employees in 2009 to more than 130 employees worldwide, including the 80 full-time employees who are overflowing its current offices on Florida Boulevard.
According to PreSonus CEO Jim Mack, PreSonus has grown its revenues by more than 50 percent last year and is slated to enter new product categories to continue its growth.
Among the unique features of this building will be a specialized high-tech recording studio/R&D space that is being custom-designed for PreSonus’ engineering and testing teams by Walters-Storyk Design Group of Highland, NY.
The 2,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art studio will feature a control room, a 500-square-foot live-sound room, two isolation rooms, a video-production suite, five test labs as well as a separate 1,500-square-foot live sound room
PreSonus’ rapid growth, local hiring, and emphasis on digital engineering qualified it for LED Digital Interactive Media and Software Development tax-credits. This program supports the creation of quality digital-engineering jobs that stay in the Baton Rouge community.
Historically, companies like PreSonus have usually located on the East or West Coast. However, the tax-credit program has helped make it possible for PreSonus to grow and prosper in its home city, investing these funds in new engineering staff and in research and development.
Many of the new hires are skilled digital-hardware and software engineers residing in the Baton Rouge area.
Much of the engineering team graduated from the LSU Engineering Department, and the company was recently named to the LSU 100 Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses. PreSonus also is working with LSU in an effort to develop local design talent through the university’s outstanding engineering programs and internships.
