RUSTON, La. —  Radiance Technologies, an employee-owned defense contractor, this week announced a $370.65 million investment to expand its footprint in Louisiana. The company plans to build a state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility in Lincoln Parish, a move it hopes will bolster national security, fuel innovation, and drive local economic growth.

The Huntsville, Alabama-based company is expected to create 150 direct new jobs with an average salary of $85,000, 180% of the parish average, while expanding on its 14 current positions. Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the state's business development agency, estimates that the project will result in an additional 146 indirect new jobs.

The new 40,000-square-foot facility will house R&D, design and fabrication operations for microchips. Radiance has existing locations in Shreveport and Baton Rouge.

A longtime partner of Louisiana Tech, Radiance is a tenant company in the university's Enterprise Campus research park, where it leverages faculty expertise and the talent pipeline to develop solutions for defense, intelligence, and civilian customers.

LED is providing $20 million in matching dollars through a performance-based grant to the Louisiana Tech University Foundation for the purchase of equipment at the new manufacturing facility, with funding tied to project milestones. In addition, LED is awarding $17 million to Louisiana Tech to upgrade research equipment and create specialized training programs in secure chip manufacturing.

The Louisiana Tech University Foundation led the effort to expand the Radiance footprint on the campus, working closely with the City of Ruston to secure land for the manufacturing facility.

Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 with an anticipated completion in summer 2027.