Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) announced plans to build two additional buildings at its Pullman, Wash., headquarters. An 85,000 square foot office building will become SEL’s new “front door” and house several divisions of the company. A 20,000 square foot event center will provide expanded meeting space for SEL and will also be available for rent to the public.

“Large meeting and event space is lacking in Pullman, and we will address that need with our new event center,” said Ed Schweitzer, SEL founder and president.

Schweitzer said the new buildings will be constructed on property the company purchased in 2001. That property, a 92-acre parcel adjacent to its existing buildings in Pullman, will have multiple uses, including residential, Schweitzer said. The Pullman Planning Commission approved a zone change for 10.2 acres this week, and at the same time approved the platting of 30 home sites at that location. The recommendation now goes to the City Council for final approval.

“It’s exciting to be part of Pullman’s growth,” Schweitzer said. “This is a vibrant, growing community, and we have some needs that must be addressed. We’ll be adding opportunities for additional housing plus an event center that can accommodate large conferences and receptions,” he said. The additional office space allows for the company’s continued expansion.

“We’ve hired over 250 people this year, and we’re literally running out of space,” Schweitzer added.

SEL broke ground on two buildings earlier this year: a 22,000 square foot research and development building and a 10,000 square foot facilities building on property it owns in the Whitman County Industrial Park. Construction is nearly complete, and SEL expects to move into both buildings in October.

When the newest construction is complete, SEL will have 400,000 square feet under roof in 11 buildings at its Pullman site. Currently, SEL has 107 open positions that include engineers, managers, technicians, assemblers, accountants, a pilot, a web programmer, customer service representatives and more.