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GREENSBORO — Earlier this month, the Guilford County commissioners sent RF Micro Devices a clear signal: no incentives.

Some board members figured the microchip maker would expand its operations here even if it didn't get the $1.03 million it wanted from the county.

They were right.

On Friday, the company announced it plans a $103 million expansion in Greensboro that will create 300 jobs and increase the company's employment here to more than 2,200.

"It's a great compliment to Greensboro and the community," said Jerry Neal, RF Micro's executive vice president of strategic development and one of the founders. "These facilities are certainly sought after worldwide."

Neal said the company considered a number of locations for the fabrication plant, including High Point, Winston-Salem, China and the United Kingdom.

The company also said it will build a $15 million facility in Mooresville that will employ 50 workers.

The decision to expand in Greensboro pleased Guilford commissioners.

"It falls in line with what I thought, that they were coming anyway," said Melvin "Skip" Alston, the board's vice chairman.

"And Guilford County just saved a million dollars."

Chairman Paul Gibson said there were "winners all the way around." He added, "They stayed, so obviously that decision that Guilford County made did not sway them to move."

Neal said he did not want to get into a debate about politics.

"Our job is to make microchips," he said.

"We don't question the commissioners or their decision. We are certain that they acted in what they believe was the best interest of their constituents."

But he added: "We are a true international company. We have and will set up facilities all over the world. ... It would be a mistake to assume that we will always locate here."

The company was founded in Greensboro in 1991.

One impact of the commissioners' decision, Neal said, was that it made other

communities aware of the company's desire to expand and resulted in additional proposals that had to be considered.

"We got a little bit lucky," said Dan Lynch, a local business recruiter.

"Just as easily, RF could have gone somewhere else, and you would be asking me, 'What do you think about the elected officials costing us jobs and that investment?'"

While the commissioners turned down the request for incentives, others came through.

The City Council approved $1.2 million, and the state will provide up to $4.25 million if RF Micro sustains the 350 jobs for 11 years.

The company said it will produce the jobs over the next four years.

The new plant will go in a building shell in Greensboro's Enterprise Park.

Neal said the latter will begin "in just a few days," adding that the facility should be operational within a year.

"We continue to see tremendous opportunity for our product," he said.

"We want to stay ahead of the demand. This is a fast-moving industry. You must have the demand when it arises, or it will not wait for you."

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or donpatterson@news-record.com

Contact Nate DeGraff at 373-7024 or ndegraff@news-record.com