Terra Ferma to open LiFi manufacturing facility in Colorado Springs

Terra Ferma, a communications technology manufacturer, will open a Light Fidelity production facility in Colorado Springs, a project expected to create 120 new jobs and expand the company’s presence in the defense and advanced technology sectors.

The company, which develops rapid prototyping and engineering solutions for LiFi and related communication systems, confirmed Wednesday that it will invest about $1.3 million to establish the new manufacturing operation. Terra Ferma serves a range of clients, including the U.S. military, government agencies, NATO and domestic and international private customers.

Company officials said Colorado Springs was selected for its skilled workforce and proximity to Department of Defense installations. Terra Ferma’s founder and president, Dennis Roark, said the expansion builds on the company’s existing ties to the community and its partnerships with local technology firms.

Roark said the new facility will support full-scale production and research and development for the company’s products. He added that collaborations with organizations such as ITS LLC, a Colorado Springs IT engineering company, will help advance capabilities and generate high-value jobs in the region.

The facility is expected to create positions in sales, engineering and warehouse operations, with an average annual wage of $68,108. State and local economic development officials endorsed the project, citing its potential to strengthen the region’s aerospace, defense and communications sectors.

The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $1 million in performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits over eight years. The Colorado Springs City Council authorized additional incentives through tax rebates, while El Paso County estimated the company could qualify for more than $200,000 in state income tax credits through the Enterprise Zone program.

Terra Ferma evaluated expansion options in Florida, Virginia and Wyoming before choosing Colorado. The company currently has nine employees, eight of whom work in Colorado.