The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has officially approved the inaugural tax credit award under its “Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program.” The beneficiary, Starman New Photonics plans to invest $150 million into a 100,000-square-foot facility in Warren, creating 250 new high-quality jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector.
SNP is a newly formed U.S.-based manufacturer focused on producing high-speed optical transceivers. These components are vital to the artificial intelligence industry, as they interconnect Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) within data centers, effectively overcoming bandwidth and energy constraints that often limit large-scale AI production.
“Starman New Photonics is a perfect blend of a long-standing industry—manufacturing—and a new one—AI—both of which are producing impactful economic benefits for the state and its residents,” NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss said.
The project is a significant win for the state’s manufacturing base. By “onshoring” the production of these critical components, SNP aims to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers—a move supported by the U.S. Department of Defense’s recent efforts to secure technology supply chains.
“At a time when too much of our manufacturing base and critical technology production has moved overseas, Starman New Photonics’ decision to invest $150 million and create 250 jobs here in New Jersey is a major win for our workers, our economy, and our national security,” State Senator Michael Testa said.
The Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program was established to attract private investment and foster high-tech job growth. SNP’s commitment includes a ten-year residency in New Jersey, with tax credits of $7.5 million per year over the first five years, totaling $37.5 million.
“We’re proud to partner with the State of New Jersey to onshore optical transceiver manufacturing, a critical component of the AI infrastructure economy,” Charles Tebele, CEO of Starman New Photonics said. “With its strong infrastructure, leading universities, and highly skilled workforce, New Jersey provides an exceptional foundation for this investment and for our long-term growth.”
