Software firm plans $7 million research center in region(PGH)

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Gov. Ed Rendell, left, jokes with Smith Micro Software founder William W. Smith Jr. about the Eagles and Steelers. Rendell is an ardent Eagles fan, while Smith is a former Pittsburgher and Steelers fan.

Smith Micro Software Inc., a $100 million software firm based in southern California, announced plans today to build a $7 million research and development center in the Pittsburgh region that will create 230 jobs over a three-year period.

The firm, founded by former Pittsburgher William W. Smith Jr., has been in talks with state government for some six months on the proposal. Gov. Ed Rendell, who announced the deal at a Downtown press conference this morning, said the state was providing $1.8 million in incentives to support the project.

The firm needs about 50,000-square-feet of space -- with extra room available in case it grows -- and is looking in Moon and Cranberry, as well as other parts of the North Hills, Mr. Smith said. Employees will start work by the end of the year, and the company will target local universities for new hires, said Mr. Smith, a Grove City College graduate.

Pittsburgh beat out three other cities for the R&D center. Smith Micro has offices around the country and in Sweden, Serbia and Canada.

"The renaissance of Pittsburgh and the growth of high-tech in Pittsburgh were very convincing" in cementing the new deal, Mr. Smith said. "It was just a natural fit. It was not a hard choice."

The office will handle development, testing, a data center and host an East Coast support center to take advantage of the time difference with the company's headquarters in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

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