Area Development
Luvata, metal manufacturing and engineering firm, plans a $1 million expansion of its production facilities in Grenada, Mississippi, a city of almost 15,000 in the northern part of the state.

The firm's metals, materials and components are used in renewable energy, power generation, architecture, automotive transport, medicine, air conditioning, industrial refrigeration, consumer products and construction. This expansion is expected to create about 20 new jobs.

"Luvata is a world leader in heat transfer technology and related engineering and design services, and we are launching several new products manufactured right here in Mississippi. With the additional grant funds, we are looking forward to providing additional employment opportunities for our community," said Ed Muilwyk, Luvata's Director of Manufacturing in Grenada. The Mississippi Development Authority, Grenada Economic Development District and Grenada County have worked closely with us to support our expansion efforts, he added.

This marks the firm's second expansion at its Grenada facility in under a year. In August 2011, Luvata expanded operations at its aluminum production plant, also with the goal of capturing new opportunities in the marketplace. That project was a $1 million company investment, as well, Muilwyk said.

"Luvata's Grenada operations are providing metal services to customers around the globe, and I am pleased the company is once again expanding to reach an even wider range of consumers," said Jim Barksdale, Mississippi Development Authority's interim executive director. MDA worked closely with company and local officials to support the project, providing funding for improvements to the publicly-owned facility in which Luvata is located. Grenada County also provided assistance for improvements to the facility, Barksville said.