Accuride Corp., a manufacturer of wheels, wheel ends and braking components for commercial and passenger vehicles, will upgrade its facility in Henderson County, Kentucky. The $2 million project is expected to create 15 jobs.

The investment will include roof repairs, updating of at least one assembly welder robot, concrete repair and improved airflow throughout the 306,000-square-foot facility on Adams Drive.

“Investing in our plant and community will help us to achieve our goal of providing the highest quality products to our customers,” said Rob Jozwiak, director of operations at the Henderson County operation. “Also, this will allow us to expand our team with new production, maintenance and salary team members.”

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in June preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $250,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of more than $2 million and annual targets of creation and maintenance of 15 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years, and paying an average hourly wage of $39, including benefits, across those jobs.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

“Automotive suppliers across the commonwealth are positioning themselves for significant growth for decades to come, and I am glad to see Accuride Corp. included among those growing companies,” Governor Andy Beshear said. “Kentucky is in a prime position to continue to be a leader in the rapidly changing automotive industry. The growth of existing Kentucky businesses like Accuride is a critical factor as we work toward our vision for a brighter future for all Kentuckians.”

In addition, Accuride can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

“Existing industries will continue to be a strategic goal for Henderson Economic Development,” added Henderson Economic Development Director of Existing Industries and Workforce Development Whitney Risley . “We are encouraged by the number of new, high-paying jobs in Henderson County. We celebrate with Accuride as they continue to expand and improve in Henderson.”

Accuride has operated in Henderson County, where it currently employs 137, since 1974 and produces more than 10,000 heavy steel wheels daily for the heavy truck industry. The facility also houses the company’s wheels research and development, product development and testing operations. Accuride products include steel and aluminum wheels, brake drums and rotors, hubs and assemblies, as well as slack adjusters. The Michigan-based company has four manufacturing locations in the United States, in addition to facilities in Canada and Mexico.