SAN LEANDRO — A cutting-edge fusion energy company and an innovative boots and sportswear maker have landed separate state tax credits that will fuel new jobs in the East Bay.

Fuse Energy Technologies and Ariat International have landed separate awards of California tax credits that, according to state officials, encouraged the companies to expand in California rather than another state.

Ariat International headquarters office site at 1500 Alvarado Street in San Leandro, seen in an Oct. 2023 image capture. (Google Maps)

The job-saving announcements arrive at a time when California and the Bay Area are both locked in a hiring tailspin marked by hefty employment losses.

Both companies have their headquarters in San Leandro. The companies each stated they intended to leverage the tax credit into East Bay growth.

Here are some details of the state tax credits, as disclosed by the governor’s office:

— Fuse Energy received a $10 million tax credit that will help trigger $152 million in overall investments.

— Ariat International received a $3 million tax credit, which will trigger a $19 million investment.

Both tax credits were described as job savers and job generators.

“Fuse Energy Technologies develops technology for generating commercial electricity from fusion energy,” the governor’s Business and Economic Development Office stated.

Without the award, the fusion technology company would have have undertaken its work in another state. Fuse also said it would have been forced to slash some or all of its jobs in California and move some or all of its employees to another state.

“Fuse Energy Technologies agrees to hire full-time employees and invest in a facility, land, research and development equipment, and manufacturing equipment as part of its expansion in San Leandro and the greater East Bay,” the governor’s office stated.

The tax credit will enable Fuse Energy to add 266 workers in California as a result of the tax credit.

“Ariat International is a designer and manufacturer of footwear, apparel, and accessories for outdoor
sports and work environments,” the state entity said.

The sportswear and apparel company said it would have been obliged to expand in another state without the state tax credit.

“Ariat International agrees to hire full-time employees and invest in office space, computer equipment, furniture and fixtures, and tenant improvements as part of its expansion in San Leandro,” the governor’s office stated.

The innovative sportswear and boot maker said it would hire 128 workers over the next five years.

“California is where innovation meets opportunity,” Gov. Newsom said. “We’re building a stronger, bottom-up economy.”