Microsoft expands licensing office

Microsoft Corp.'s lease of more space for the offices of its licensing division in south Reno doesn't portend big growth in employment at the office.

The company has leased an additional 15,000 square feet in the Sierra Corporate Center at 6100 Neil Road, said Matt Riecken, an office specialist with Trammell Crow who represented the building's owner,Washington Capital, in lease negotiations.

Beth Jordan, a Microsoft spokeswoman, said the space is needed largely to meet the needs of the licensing operation's existing staff.

About 350 people employees and contractors of Microsoft work at the Reno office.

Jordan said, however, some employment growth is likely in coming months.

"This is an important part of our licensing operation," she said.

"We anticipate there will be some measure of growth going forward."

With the additional lease, Microsoft occupies nearly 100,000 square feet in the building.