A Utah company is expanding in Washington County and adding scores of high-paying jobs meant to build up southern Utah’s aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Utah’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development promised the company, Baxter Aerospace, a post-performance tax credit to expand in Washington City.

Over the next five years, according to its agreement with the state, the company will bring in 90 high-paying jobs and invest $19,550,000 into Utah. The expanded facility will add some 30,000 square feet to their operations.

Baxter Aerospace, which was originally based in Oregon and is now headquartered in St. George, started as a firefighting drone company, focused on wildfires. It has since expanded to “mission-critical satellite communications,” helping emergency responders and others to “stay connected in the toughest environments,” according to the company’s website.

The economic development office predicted the company’s expansion would bring in $1,523,131 in new state tax revenue. Through the tax credit program, the company would be eligible to get back 30% of that tax revenue — capped at just under $457,000 — if it meets performance requirements, like job creation and investment.

“When we look at where the global economy is heading, we recognize that advanced manufacturing infrastructure is imperative,” Jefferson Moss, the economic development office’s commissioner, said in a news release. “Baxter Aerospace’s investment signals to the world that Utah’s economic future is fueled by frontier innovation in every corner of the state.”

Local officials said they hope the expansion will bring more aerospace job opportunities to the area’s workforce and attract new skilled workers.