Area Development
Fitzgerald Industries II, which manufactures aluminum dump truck beds, will locate in the former Belden Inc. plant in Monticello, Kentucky. The company plans to invest $6 million and create 250 full-time jobs.

The company’s $6 million investment will reconfigure the plant and add machinery to cut, form and weld aluminum sheet for production of commercial-grade dump beds for Class 8 trucks. The facility also will form steel parts for use in fabrication of steel dump truck bodies.

“The Fitzgerald family has made it their mission to invest in, partner with and create well-paying manufacturing jobs in the communities, particularly the rural communities, that others have left,” Tommy A. Fitzgerald, President of Fitzgerald Industries said. “The Monticello project aligns perfectly with our mission. We are very excited about the opportunity to put Kentuckians back to work, and we appreciate the support of the state, local and federal officials who are helping us to keep manufacturing in the United States.”

“Fitzgerald Industries is providing an incredible opportunity for the workforce in Monticello and Wayne County,” Governor Matt Bevin said. “The closure of the Belden operation was a major blow to the local community, and this chance to put 250 people back to work comes at the perfect time. This investment by Fitzgerald Industries also strengthens Kentucky’s rapidly growing aluminum sector. This is truly a win for all involved, and we look forward to the company’s success in southeastern Kentucky.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in March preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2.4 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

Based in Sparta, Tennessee, Fitzgerald Industries is wholly owned by the Tommy C. Fitzgerald Legacy Trust, whose namesake has been in business for over 30 years and, through his family of companies, employs more than 700 people in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Fitzgerald family of companies includes Fitzgerald Truck Parts and Sales, Fitzgerald Glider Kits, Fitzgerald Peterbilt, Fitzgerald Collision and Repair, Fitzgerald Trailer Sales and Fitzgerald Towing and Recovery Equipment.