A tech firm that works on major theme park attractions and has offices from Mobile to Beijing is relocating its headquarters to the heart of downtown Mobile.

Prism Systems is investing $6.4 million to move from Virginia Street to a new home at Dauphin and Broad streets. The shift is expected to create 52 new high-wage jobs and retain 44 eDixisting positions.

“Mobile has always been a foundation for our success,” said Keith Jones, CEO and owner of Prism Systems. “By deepening our roots here, we’re investing not only in the city’s future but also in the talent, technology, and creativity that define our company.”

The company, which has a portfolio that includes behind-the-scenes work on iconic rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Avatar Flight of Passage, is making the move partly due to the upcoming $3.5 billion I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.

The massive bridge project, which is not yet under construction, will impact the property surrounding the company’s current location at 200 Virginia Street.

The downtown location at 857 Dauphin St. is the site of the former Crown Hall, a banquet facility at Broad and Dauphin streets. The facility will serve both as Prism Systems’ corporate headquarters and lab operations.

“The new downtown location offers increased visibility and allows us to lean into our high-tech legacy,” Jones said.

He said he believes the new location will be attractive in luring “the best and brightest engineers from elite colleges.”

“They care where they live, they want to work where they are surrounded by innovative people,” Jones said.

The move is being facilitated by tax incentives authorized by the Industrial Development Board. The board granted a 10-year non-educational property tax abatement and a non-educational sales and use tax abatement during the construction phase of the project.

The abatements, in short, will not affect the taxes the property generates for public schools.

The total combined cost of the tax break is $579,645, with the majority coming from the property tax abatement.

“Prism Systems has long been one our region’s quiet giants in the tech and automation world,” said Bradley Byrne, president & CEO with the Mobile Chamber. “Bringing their headquarters to the heart of downtown Mobile strengthens our innovation economy, supports high-skill, high-wage jobs and builds on our momentum as a tech-forward community.”

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said Prism’s commitment to Mobile shows that “all kinds of businesses can thrive” in Alabama’s Port City.

“While our area is gaining a strong reputation for advanced manufacturing, Prism represents a growing trend of tech-driven companies creating high-wage jobs in our community,” he said. “This is a win-win for the company, its employees and downtown Mobile, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.”

The construction and buildout of the facility is expected to begin in September with operations to be transitioned in April 2026.

“Prism Systems operates globally, and its choice to grow here speaks volumes about our local tech sector and workforce capacity,” said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood.

Founded in 1989, Prism Systems is a global software and automation company that has implemented projects in 45 different countries. The projects range from supplying electricity to the people in Haiti, building safety and controls software for autonomous vehicles, implementing advanced robotics and helping build theme parks around the world.

According to the company’s website, Prism Systems got involved with theme park work about a decade ago. The work includes creating ride controls for innovative trackless rides.

The company’s portfolio includes projects such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Avatar Flight of Passage and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout.

Prism’s presence includes engineering offices in Los Angeles, Orlando, Beijing, and Shanghai. The company has two manufacturing facilities in Washington County.