FARGO, N.D., June 8, 2010 — The Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC) announced today that Esterline Control Systems - AVISTA (AVISTA) will open an office in Fargo by the end of July 2010. The office initially will be staffed by six or seven engineers, and the company plans to ultimately employ 25 to 30 engineers in Fargo.

AVISTA provides full lifecycle software and systems engineering services. The company has extensive experience in developing safety-critical, embedded software for industries such as aerospace, defense, medical and industrial manufacturing. AVISTA is headquartered in Platteville, Wis. and has an office in Roseville, Minn.

The availability of software engineers in Fargo-Moorhead and the proximity to one of its key clients, Phoenix International, were considerations in the company’s decision to open an office here, according to AVISTA Vice President Tom Bragg. “As the leader in critical systems development, the AVISTA team is continually looking for the best embedded software engineers to support our expanding client base,” he said. “Fargo offers a favorable business climate and workforce to meet our needs and the needs of our regional clients.”

Phoenix International designs, develops and manufactures electronic components and systems for heavy equipment in industries such as agriculture,construction and on-highway trucking. AVISTA assists Phoenix with the development
and testing of some of the software that controls these electronic components.

Claire Vigesaa, GFMEDC interim president, said the addition of AVISTA more firmly establishes Fargo-Moorhead as a competitive community in smart technology, one of the key emerging industries targeted in the Cass/Clay Economic Plan. Smart technology is a broad term that encompasses hardware and software components that allow devices to communicate across networks, making the products they are in more convenient to use while increasing safety and efficiency.

“AVISTA is an outstanding company that will have an immediate impact in terms of adding good, high-paying jobs in our community,” said Vigesaa. “Fargo-Moorhead already has a strong foothold in smart technologies with several companies engaged in the sector. AVISTA’s office in Fargo adds another point of credibility to our claim as a business destination for the industry.”

About the GFMEDC
The GFMEDC strives to enhance economies in Cass County, N.D. and Clay County, Minn. communities by attracting, expanding and retaining primary-sector businesses. Its primary objective is to facilitate the creation of primary-sector jobs. A primary-sector business is one that brings new dollars into a community through the sale of its products and services outside of the trade area. The primary sector is the foundation of an economy and the principal driver of economic development.