Cummins to Expand Seymour Engine Plant
Executives from Cummins Inc. joined recently with Lt. Governor Becky Skillman to announce the company will expand its High-Horsepower Technical Center and High-Horsepower engine product line at the newly renamed Seymour Engine Plant, creating up to 200 new jobs by 2015.
The Fortune 500 Company plans to invest approximately $100 million in machinery, equipment and the construction of a 28,500 square-foot expansion of its technical center. The technical center expansion will almost double the current engineering footprint in the facility and increase Cummins’ High-Horsepower mechanical development capability.
“Cummins is a homegrown Indiana company making its mark in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world. We are proud of what they’ve grown here and are excited to see them add even more high-wage, high-tech positions in southern Indiana,” said Skillman.
The selection of the Seymour Engine Plant for this expansion is further evidence of Cummins’ commitment to Indiana. The facility opened in 1976 and currently manufactures diesel and natural gas engines used in mining, power generation, marine, oil and gas, and rail markets around the world.
“Cummins is excited to be able to strengthen its presence in Indiana and provide more good jobs in our home region,” said Mark Gerstle, vice president and chief administrative officer.
Preparations for the technical center expansion are scheduled to start immediately and construction is expected to be complete by mid-2011. Cummins plans to begin hiring engineers and mechanics immediately.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Cummins, Inc. up to $2.4 million in performance-based tax credits and $100,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Lawrenceburg will provide Seymour a $1.75 million regional economic development grant from its municipal development fund to assist with the project. The city of Seymour will consider additional tax abatement at the request of the Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation. The company’s commitment is contingent upon all state and local government approvals
“This is, obviously, great news for the entire region,” said Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. “We are pleased that Cummins selected Seymour for this new project, and we have pledged to work with them as this project unfolds.”
Portland Agriculture Expands into Solar
Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC has announced it will expand its SolarAg division here, creating up to 120 new jobs by 2013.
Founded in 2003, Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment designs agricultural buildings and equipment. In late 2009 it launched SolarAg to develop and produce solar collectors and equipment. The company plans to invest $1.9 million to renovate its 60,000 square-foot facility located at 1001 North Wayne St. to accommodate research, development and production of solar thermal collector panels.
“Fort Recovery Construction is Hoosier entrepreneurial spirit at its finest,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “Indiana’s agricultural success is directly tied to our economic success so it is critical that Fort Recovery Construction continue to be on the leading edge of an exciting industry with so much promise,”
SolarAg Systems says that solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available. The firm has developed a variety of solar products for residential and commercial use including heating and air conditioning, thermal floor heating, attic ventilation equipment, pool heating and photovoltaic products. To date, SolarAg Systems has sold over 3 million BTUs of solar thermal energy.
“We have seen our market share grow at a tremendous rate, due in large part to the exceptional design and performance of our patented solar thermal collectors. The overwhelming support that we have received from the city of Portland, Jay County and the state of Indiana convinced us that Indiana is the perfect location for our expansion. We are convinced that Indiana’s progressive, pro-business environment, innovative workforce and unmatched technological and manufacturing expertise make the state a center for research, development and production in the renewable energy industry,” said Brad Stultz, director of alternative energy development for SolarAg Systems.
The company plans to begin hiring management, sales and production associates once facility upgrades are complete later this fall. Interested applicants can apply at their local WorkOne center or online at www.indianacareerconnect.com.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC up to $535,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Portland has approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Jay County Development Corporation.
“We appreciate the investment and development Ft. Recovery Construction & Equipment is creating in the city of Portland. This expansion project is another example of the confidence level existing businesses have in the creation of new opportunities and the retention of existing jobs for the benefit of our community and our state,” said Mayor Bruce W. Hosier.
SolarAg Systems’ parent company Fort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC was formed by David and Linda Lowe as a response to a booming agricultural industry in the greater state of Indiana.
Markland Business Park Welcomes Trenwa
Trenwa, Inc., a manufacturer of concrete trench and utility products, has announced plans to construct a 25,150-square-foot pre-cast concrete manufacturing trench plant on a 10-acre site in the Markland Business Park near Vevay, IN, creating up to 24 jobs by 2012.
Previously located in Warsaw, KY, the company will invest $2.5 million to move to Indiana.
“We are always happy to welcome new business to Indiana and we’re even happier when it means new opportunities for Hoosiers in great communities like Florence,” said Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Trenwa’s 10-foot-long concrete trenches are used for the distribution of electrical control cables, power cables and mechanical piping. The flagship manufacturing facility will be built in the northwest corner of the Markland Business Park.
Trenwa is the second company to announce that it will call the Markland Business Park home in the last nine months. The total economic benefit to the area of the construction and operation of the Trenwa facility is estimated at more than $17 million over the next seven years.
Construction is already underway to bring final infrastructure extensions to the site.
Switzerland County purchased the property for the 100-acre Markland Business Park in 2007. Since that time the project has gone through extensive design and permitting with state and federal agencies. The extension of utilities to the site began in 2008 and has continued through 2010.
“We have experienced several years of strong growth and need a more modern facility with level acreage for product storage. We liked the Markland Business Park because the land was level and had good access to I-71 for shipping,” said George Schurr, vice-president of operations for Trenwa.
Switzerland County was awarded a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to construct infrastructure including a new entrance drive and storm drainage system.
Thermal Solutions Provider Expands in Greensburg
Bluewater Thermal Solutions, a provider of engineered thermal solutions, including heat treating, brazing and assembly announced today that it will expand its manufacturing facility here, creating up to 15 new jobs by 2012.
The company which provides thermal treatments and solutions for various materials including steel, aluminum and non metallics while serving customers in the automotive, aerospace, energy, construction, agriculture and transportation industries, will invest more than $2.2 million to expand service offerings at its Greensburg facility.
“Bluewater could have chosen to take these new jobs and investment elsewhere, but they chose to stay in Greensburg,” said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “This is a tremendous vote of confidence in the workforce of southeast Indiana.”
Bluewater Thermal Solutions currently employs around 15 employees in Greensburg and plans to begin hiring additional maintenance and operations associates as equipment installation is made at the facility.
“Bluewater is committed to the manufacturing base in Indiana with facilities in South Bend and Greensburg. We recognize the growth opportunities not only in the transportation sector, but the ability to attract and establish key aerospace relationships,” said Ben Crawford, chief operating officer of Bluewater Thermal Solutions. “We are thrilled by the support from the local and state levels and the commitment to secure new business for Indiana’s future.”
