Mason Technologies plans $21 million expansion in Hauppauge, will add 25 jobs

Jennifer and Adam Mason have been looking for a new home for their growing technology business for the past seven years.

The couple has finally found what they believe is the ideal spot in Suffolk County — where they very much want to remain — after looking at more than 100 buildings in three states.

Jennifer started Mason Technologies Inc. in 2002 after working as a registered nurse. The Deer Park-based contractor builds audio visual systems, data centers and security systems for customers in the public and private sectors.

She said the move to 395 Oser Ave. in Hauppauge will increase efficiency, collaboration and sales.

"We've been looking for a long time to find something that fits the needs of our company," said Jennifer, who is Mason Technologies' president and sole owner.

She and Adam, vice president of customer relations, want to purchase the 50,000-square-foot building, construct a 21,500-square-foot addition and raise the roof to allow for more warehouse space.

The project would cost nearly $21 million and take 18 months to complete, according to an application for assistance from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency.

Adam said the Oser Avenue facility is perfect because it allows Mason Technologies to retain its Long Island workforce.

"I don't want to go to Connecticut anymore" to look at buildings to buy, he said at a meeting of the IDA last week. "I don't want to look in New Jersey. We want to stay home, in Suffolk County."

But Adam said Mason Technologies cannot implement its expansion plan without IDA tax breaks because of Long Island's high cost of doing business, particularly property taxes and construction materials.

The IDA board responded by unanimously approving a $2.1 million incentive package that consists of a sales-tax exemption of up to $532,000 on the purchase of construction materials and equipment, up to $135,155 off the mortgage recording tax and property tax savings of $1.4 million over 15 years.

In return, Mason Technologies would add 25 jobs to its workforce of 239 over the next two years.

The new jobs would pay between $60,000 and $85,000 per year, on average. Some of the new employees would be members of the Communications Workers of America union.

Mason Technologies also has offices in the Carolinas and Manhattan. The latter serves customers such New York City government, JPMorgan Chase, Ralph Lauren, Kennedy Airport, the NYPD and FDNY, said Nicholas T. Terzulli, Mason Technologies' real estate attorney.

The Oser Avenue building is now owned by Rechler Equity Partners, a commercial real estate developer based in Plainview. The building is empty but has been used by the county's Department of Labor, according to the IDA application.

Mason Technologies is the first IDA client to qualify for additional tax savings under Solar-Up Suffolk, an initiative by County Executive Edward P. Romaine to encourage the installation of solar panels. As part of the approved tax incentive package, the company will receive about $110,000 in property tax savings in return for installing panels on the roof of its new home.

Romaine welcomed the commitment, telling Newsday, "It is imperative that Suffolk County continue to implement green energy technologies ... Solar-Up Suffolk is just one initiative we have undertaken to explore alternative energy solutions."

IDA CEO Kelly Murphy, noting Mason Technologies' prolonged search for a new building, said, "They spent seven years looking at 100 buildings in the New York area, but they want to stay in Suffolk County. Attracting companies is very difficult. That's why we do everything we can to keep the companies we have."

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.