Solar pact means 50 new jobs in Dayton area

A partnership between companies in Vandalia and Idaho is about to create 50 new jobs to the Dayton area.

E-Mek Technologies has announced a partnership with Solar Roadways of Sand Point, Idaho, to manufacture its patented “solar roadways panels,” Montgomery County announced Thursday.

The modular panels have solar cells to generate energy and a heating element to melt snow as well as LED lights that can be programmed to reconfigure auto and foot traffic. It is designed to replace traditional asphalt and concrete surfaces.

E-Mek Technologies is a Vandalia contract manufacturer, specializing in printed circuit boards, box build assembly, through hole soldering and prototyping.

“We have enjoyed a constructive relationship with Solar Roadways for almost four years, and our two companies have worked closely to develop the panels and fine tune the production process,” Jeff Harris, E-Mek’s marketing director, said in the county’s announcement.

E-Mek initially contacted Solar Roadways after seeing “Solar Freakin’ Roadways,” a promotional video about the Solar Roadways’ product.

Scott Brusaw, a University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College graduate, as well as co-founder of Solar Roadways, met with Montgomery County economic development officials last August at E-Mek Technologies, which supplies Brusaw’s company with printed circuit boards.

“It would be kind of nice to be able to come back,” Brusaw told this news outlet at the time.

E-Mek plans to begin production of the road panels at its Vandalia facility in 2018. JobsOhio, the state’s private development corporation, awarded E-Mek $40,000 to invest in new production equipment, the county said.