October 4, 2019
Brimrose Renews Efforts to Expand its Business to West Virginia
Sparks, Md.--Seeing terrific opportunities to grow its business in West Virginia, the Brimrose Corporation of America is once again trying to work with major political figures in the state to expand Brimrose’s growing business to West Virginia.
Brimrose Founder and CEO Ron Rosemeier sent Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito correspondence last week encouraging them to help Brimrose grow its business in the state, which is now located in the former Halterman’s hardware store in downtown Petersburg.
Brimrose recently was selected by NASA to provide one of its spectrometers for a forthcoming Moon mission to search for water on the Moon’s surface. Rosemeier has suggested that a portion of the work could be done in Petersburg.
Rosemeier also observed that the company would like to work with the state to develop Small Business Innovation Research awards, or SBIRs. Brimrose has generated more than $150 million in such awards, while the state of West Virginia ranks near the bottom of states receiving such awards. To help in the process, he is suggesting that West Virginia join the list of 15 states that offer matching funds to federal grants.
Brimrose grows its own crystals, one of the few companies in the United States to do so. The company has expertise in growing mercurous halides and II-VI materials, which can be used for a variety of new applications. Rosemeier believes at least a portion of its crystal growth activity could move to the Petersburg facility. Work with a West Virginia university or government partner in developing these crystals is an activity Brimrose would welcome.
The company already has done extensive work with Penn State University to make a lightweight, highly protective body armor that is form fitting for female warriors. Brimrose would like to move those operations to West Virginia and eventually establish a production facility in the state.
“We believe the state of West Virginia has a lot of great things to offer as Brimrose continues to grow,” said Rosemeier. “We will continue to work hard until we can realize those opportunities.”