Power plant simulator company finds home in Eldersburg
By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer
ELDERSBURG – Since moving to South Carroll in 2008, GSE Systems, a technology company that specializes in computer simulators and training power plant operators, has brought about 80 jobs to the county.
GSE builds computer simulators for chemical and nuclear power plants and oil refineries.
CEO John V. Moran said the company has built or modified more than 85 percent of the simulators that are in operation in the U.S. Also, GSE has delivered more than 160 full scope nuclear power plant simulators worldwide. Simulators are tools used for training power plant operators.
“We’re very much at the forefront of new technology,” he said. “There aren’t too many companies in the world that do what we do.”
On a day-to-day basis, GSE, based in Eldersburg, does computer modeling and engineering services and develops educational systems.
Moran said the company moved its headquarters from Baltimore to Eldersburg in 2008 because it received a lot of support from the county.
The company has 25 percent more space in its Eldersburg office and saved $1 million in facility costs.
“The [Carroll County] people gave us exceptional support in terns of explaining how the country would help us,” he said.
GSE brought at least 80 jobs to the county and has 200 staffers worldwide, Moran said. Since 2008, the company brought in an additional 35 positions to the county. GSE formed in 1994 as a merger with three other companies and has other offices in Georgia, Sweden and China.
Although 2009 revenues aren’t available, Moran said GSE’s revenues in 2008 were $29 million.
Moran, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, lives in New Jersey with his wife of 37 years. He commutes to Eldersburg every Monday and stays through Thursday.
Denise Beaver, deputy director of economic development for the county, said the county helped GSE move its headquarters from Baltimore to Eldersburg in 2008 because county officials believed the impact of the company moving to the area would be significant.
“They’re continuing to get new contracts and add new employees and we’re pleased their headquarters is in Carroll,” Beaver said. “It creates more jobs and opportunities for local [residents].”
Dave Burrows Jr., president of the South Carroll Business Association, echoed Beaver’s comments.
“Any time you have someone with a global presence, it can’t do anything but help the community,” Burrows said. “They eat at our restaurants and support the local economy.”
Reach staff writer Jennifer Jiggetts at 410-857-7873 or jennifer.jiggetts@carrollcountytimes.com.
From: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2010/01/26/news/local_news/4_simulator_company.txt
