U.S. Rep. Peters worked towards opening of first satellite office in Detroit, over 100 jobs expected in first year

Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Rep. Gary Peters helped announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will open its first satellite office in Detroit creating over 100 jobs in the first year. The new office will be located at 300 River Place Drive in Detroit.

USPTO was able to open the country's first satellite office largely due to the passing of the America Invents Act, a bill U.S. Rep. Peters strongly supported and voted for on the House floor. Peters is a part of the New Democrat Coalition which was instrumental in the passing of the bill by expressing strong support for the America Invents Act when passage was in doubt. This legislation gave USPTO greater authority to control their operations and finances, giving them the certainty needed to open an office in Detroit. The Detroit Office is expected to create more than 100 high-paying, high-skill jobs in its first year.

“I'm pleased that the United States Patent and Trademark Office is opening the country's first satellite office in Detroit because you couldn't pick a better place than Southeast Michigan where we have more engineers than anywhere else in the country,” said U.S. Rep. Peters. “The USPTO Detroit Office will help our region maximize our incredible human capital, further Detroit as a center of American invention and innovation, and boost the economy and job creation throughout the region. The new hires in the Greater Detroit Area will drive national job creation by cutting down on USPTO's patent backlog, helping inventors secure patent protection more quickly and get their innovations to the market faster.”

U.S. Rep. Peters strongly supported the America Invents Act, a bill that increases patent certainty and promotes the creation of American jobs. Peters' amendment to help small businesses obtain, maintain, and enforce foreign patents was included in the final legislation. The USPTO Detroit Office building, listed on the National Historic Registry, was the former home to Parke-Davis Laboratories as well as the Stroh's Brewery Headquarters. Peters has been working towards the opening of a USPTO office in Michigan since 2010. 

The USPTO will be building out the new facilities to Agency specifications during the next few months and expects to post vacancy announcements for patent examiner positions this spring.  Prospective employees should email detroithiring@uspto.gov for more information.

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