Applied Optoelectronics (AOI) announced Friday it has acquired two industrial buildings totaling about in Pearland’s Lower Kirby District, according to Realty News Report. The facilities are located at 14621 Kirby Dr. and 11555 N. Spectrum Blvd., where the Sugar Land-based company plans to produce advanced optical transceivers used in artificial intelligence data centers and communications networks.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Applied Optoelectronics to Pearland as they expand their manufacturing footprint,” Pearland Mayor Quentin Wiltz said in a statement. “This project will bring high-quality jobs, strengthen our local economy, and deepen the innovation ecosystem that makes Pearland a destination for forward-looking companies.”

“We are proud to be part of the Pearland business ecosystem and appreciate the level of support we received from the city and economic development offices to match our manufacturing needs,” Dr. Stefan Murry, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of AOI said in a public statement. 

The expansion marks another step in the company’s recent manufacturing growth. In 2025, Applied Optoelectronics announced plans to add a new manufacturing line at its Sugar Land headquarters and open a 210,000-square-foot facility focused on producing optical transceivers for AI-driven data centers, according to Realty News Report.

The company, founded at the University of Houston in 1997 by CEO Chih Hsiang “Thompson” Lin, also operates manufacturing facilities in Taiwan and China, along with a research and development center in Atlanta.

Pearland’s Lower Kirby District has increasingly attracted clean manufacturing operations in recent years. Company leaders say the 1,200-acre district near Highway 288 and Beltway 8 is already home to a growing cluster of pharmaceutical, medical equipment and other advanced industrial users. 

“As we continue to grow and expand our Houston-area footprint, Pearland offers us access to a strong workforce, excellent infrastructure, and room to scale our operations,” Dr. Murray added.