BROOMFIELD - Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc., a British developer and builder of wind energy farms, announced today it has moved its U.S. headquarters from Austin, Texas to Broomfield.

RES-Americas is relocating 70 full-time employees from Texas and plans to fill another 70 positions drawing from the Broomfield area's work force within the next year for a total of 140 employees in Broomfield, a press release said. It employs another 90 people nationwide. The company is leasing space at Eldorado Ridge II, 11101 West 120th Ave., Suite 400 where operations began Monday, March 24. 

The company will receive some economic incentives from Broomfield for the move.  This includes a 50 percent rebate on personal property taxes for 10 years, and a 50 percent rebate on building use tax. The rebates could amount up to $35,500 for RES-Americas, out of the total $73,500 ($38,000 net, after the rebates) new taxes generated for the city.

Founded in 1997, RES-Americas has grown to become one of the country's leading wind farm developers, actively participating in developing more than 12 percent of the installed wind power capacity in the United States. In addition, RES-Americas currently ranks second in number of total megawatts constructed in North America.

The company is developing one site in Colorado, the 300 megawatt Cedar Point Wind Project located in Elbert and Lincoln counties. Once operational, the project will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power 81,000 homes, the company said.

RES-Americas recently signed agreements worth more than $700 million with General Electric to receive GE Energy 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for its projects.

Company officials said Broomfield provided an ideal site for its U.S. headquarters.  

"It offers geographic proximity to RES-Americas operations, a business and political atmosphere that is supportive of renewable efforts and a welcoming environment for a high standard of living for RES-Americas employees," a press release said.

"Colorado has demonstrated immense leadership in the development of renewable resources and alternative energy.  We are proud to now join that effort," said Craig Mataczynski, president of RES-Americas.

Broomfield Economic Development Corp. President Don Dunshee said the addition of RES-Americas further reinforces Colorado's leadership position in renewable energy.

"Certainly, alternative energy is the next wave of new jobs that will land in Colorado throughout the next decade," Dunshee said.