Sensor Electronic Technology (SETi) has announced it will invest $20 million to expand its operations and create more than 150 jobs in Richland County, South Carolina.

Based in Columbia, SETi is the world's leading maker of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs). They are used in R&D, drug development, environmental monitors, numerous military applications, and in NASA space exploration. Recently the LEDs have been embraced by more mainstream/consumer markets and used for a wider range of applications, including disinfection and personal healthcare.

This first phase of the company's expansion plan includes retrofitting its existing 15,000-sq.-ft. facility plus purchasing new property. While SETi will increase the size of this facility by 5,000 square feet in the short term, future growth plans call for expanding it up to 130,000 square feet.

"Our company has experienced rapid growth over the past years and is now taking a large step in manufacturing capacity to enter new, very high-volume markets," said SETi President and CEO Remis Gaska, Ph.D. "We are excited to move forward with our expansion plans here in Columbia. Richland County has provided us with an excellent business environment and a talented workforce."

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved the company for job development credits, which will be made available once hiring targets are met. The county provided a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement and a special source revenue credit.