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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Chism Machine and Gage Expands Somerset, Kentucky, Operations

10/28/2023
Automated machinery manufacturer Chism Machine and Gage Inc., doing business as Chism Automation, plans to expand its operation in Somerset, Kentucky. The $800,000 project is expected to create 10 jobs.

The investment will double the size of the company’s existing facility’s machine build area as well as include a massive increase in power supply, moving from a 480-volt, 3-phase, 400-amp service to a 2,000-amp service.

“We partner with our customers to provide a level of support that our competitors can’t or won’t provide and we do it quickly when needed,” said Kyle Chism, founder and president of Chism Automation. “We compete with Japanese, German and out-of-state automation groups that are great technically but can’t provide our level of local support. Customers that once came to us with one- and two-robot-sized projects are asking for assembly lines with five to 10 robots. We have managed a few of these types of projects with current resources but need more space, electrical power and staff to facilitate growth.”

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $200,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $800,000 and annual targets of creation and maintenance of 10 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and paying an average hourly wage of $36.10, 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.

“Small, Kentucky-owned businesses help fuel our economy, and as they grow, expand and thrive in our communities, the commonwealth’s historic economic momentum will only continue,” noted Governor Andy Beshear. “I want to congratulate Chism Automation’s leadership on this expansion and look forward to the company’s continued success in Pulaski County.”

In addition, Chism Automation 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.

“Kyle Chism is a great example of what a strong work ethic, good morals and an entrepreneurial spirit can produce,” added Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority. “From meager beginnings, Chism Automation has grown into a leader in the robotics industry, and this upcoming expansion exemplifies his drive and the continuation of a homegrown success story. We are continuing to see record growth in the Capital of Lake Cumberland, and it inspires us daily at SPEDA to keep pushing forward with our new economic development model.”

Chism Automation builds robotic applications and automated machinery for manufacturers, including the automotive industry. The company partners with world-class robot, vision and industrial component manufacturers, integrating cutting-edge technology and design processes to develop consistent, high-quality results.

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