MOREHEAD, Ky. -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers joined state and local officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday at Rajant Corporation's new 48,000 sq.ft. facility in the MMRC Industrial Park in Morehead, Kentucky. The expansion will allow Rajant, the provider of Kinetic Mesh® wireless networks, to add 30 new jobs with plans to grow 100 full-time jobs in the near future. The facility, which is five-times larger than Rajant's current building, will expand production and services, including artificial intelligence (AI), and improving its commercial and military product lines.

"Rajant Corporation is raising the bar for innovative, high-tech job opportunities in Eastern Kentucky - partnering with Morehead State University to connect Space Science students with NASA, and the widespread opportunities available through the communications and aerospace industries. The west coast has the iconic Silicon Valley, and we are building what I like to call 'Silicon Holler' in Eastern Kentucky," said Congressman Rogers. "I believe in the historic ingenuity and stellar work ethic of our region, and this expansion proves that Rajant does as well."

The celebration took place in an open area of the building designated as "Rogersville," in recognition of Congressman Rogers' support to bring Rajant to Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District in 2015.

"Chairman Rogers has become a great friend to us at Rajant and I am forever grateful to him and the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation for leading us to Morehead, Kentucky. It is clear that he loves Eastern Kentucky, and we do too. Morehead State University is a real treasure and we are hiring many of their brilliant graduates, because of their drive, determination and integrity. Our partnership is a real success story," said Bob Schena, Chairman/CEO of Rajant Corporation. "It's my goal to take this facility from 30 people to 100 people over the next few years. We will be adding folks with all kinds of backgrounds from manufacturing and assembly all the way to artifical intelligence and even genetics research as we branch into health care as well as part of our expansion here in Kentucky."

Rajant originally launched in response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, aiming to develop secure communications for emergency responders during disasters. The technology proved to be beneficial for far more applications, including military operations and the mining industry, expanding Rajant's reach into 250 mines around the world and 60 countries.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) reported its preliminarily approval of a 15-year incentive agreement with Rajant through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $300,000 in tax incentives based on the company's investment of $2 million and meeting annual targets, including paying an average hourly wage of $25, including benefits.

KEDFA also approved Rajant for up to $50,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

The Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED) also provided $1.5 million in lending, in partnership with The Citizens Bank of Morehead. Congressman Rogers launched SKED in 1986 to help create jobs in Eastern Kentucky.

To see more photos from the event, visit Congressman Rogers' Facebook Page.

To learn more about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit https://halrogers.house.gov.