Garmin, the producer of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices, is expanding its operations in Chandler with a 60,000 SF building at the Chandler Corporate Center where it has leased space for the last five years. LGE Design Build will be the general contractor.

“Garmin is exactly the kind of quality, high-tech employer that we need in Arizona,” said Gov. Jan Brewer. “I thank Garmin for its continued investment in our state and its ongoing role in helping drive the Arizona comeback.”

This continued expansion of the city’s technology platform is indicative of Chandler’s strong position in vying for technology companies.

“These are the elite technology jobs, and employees in this industry can choose to live anywhere,” said Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. “You have to have an excellent community and sense of place in order to attract and retain companies like Garmin.”

Garmin will add 141 new software and product development jobs over the next three years, and has committed to $11M in capital investment. The Chandler office will help support Garmin’s software engineering needs, including aviation, automotive OEM, and desktop applications.

“Garmin has been a longtime employer in Chandler and the greater Phoenix area, because it offers a highly-skilled workforce,” said Garmin CFO Kevin Rauckman. “Investing in the construction of our own facility signals a long-term commitment to Chandler and the state of Arizona.”

Chandler was selected over several other states in a highly competitive process.

“Garmin is a champion of next-generation technologies, and we are so pleased the company has selected Arizona as a foundation for continued growth,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “This Chandler expansion will create high-wage jobs and generate cutting-edge research and development, strengthening our statewide economy and bolstering Arizona’s base of idea-generation and innovation.”

Garmin has expanded three times at its current location near Chandler and McClintock. LGE will be pursuing LEED certification for the building.

“It’s projects like this that are continuing to bolster Arizona’s economy,” said David Sellers, president of LGE Design Build. “We are proud to have been selected to design/build this new facility for Garmin.”

Construction will begin late this summer with an expected completion in the first half of 2014.