SCHENECTADY — A Southern Tier engineering firm has decided to open its first Capital Region office in Mohawk Harbor.
Delta Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors expects to relocate eight employees there when it takes occupancy in January 2019, then hire 10 to 12 new employees over the next few years. Delta is finalizing its lease now; custom-finishing the office space is expecting to take most of the rest of 2018.
The company already is on a growth curve, having hired 25 employees so far this year.
Delta was founded in 1976 and is based in Endwell, with satellite offices in Vernon, New York; Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania; and Chevy Chase, Maryland.
The move will bring Delta closer to its clients in New England and eastern New York. President and CEO Anthony Paniccia said Thursday that Delta has done extensive work since 1998 for state agencies, including the Office of General Services, Dormitory Authority and Department of Transportation.
“Since we have a lot of state contracts, it’s a good opportunity for us to be closer to our clients,” he said.
Not only that, it’s a very nice space, he added.
The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority is providing $60,000 to help Delta cover the cost of relocating the staff and fitting out the office.
It’s a successful professional firm moving to a brand-new upscale location run by a top real estate developer, the Galesi Group. The grant was warranted because of the effect the move will have, said Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen, who reached out to Delta to recruit it to the city.
“All jobs are important, but these are good-paying jobs,” he said. Well-paid jobs generate disposable income that supports other businesses, and well-regarded tenant companies attract other tenants. Insurance firm Haylor, Freyer & Coon and builder LeChase Construction already have set up regional offices at Mohawk Harbor, while Beekman 1802 and Galesi Group are moving their headquarters there.
“When things were down,” Gillen said, “a lot of the professional companies migrated out of the city. One of the things we’re doing is bringing them back. This is a good example of that.”