Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Industrial Automation Invests $1.8 Million In Larger Franklin, Kentucky, Manufacturing Campus

12/09/2013
A firm focusing on design and manufacture of custom assembly and automation equipment, Industrial Automation will invest $1.8 million to relocate manufacturing center to a larger site in Franklin, Kentucky, creating 26 jobs in Simpson County.

“Our entire organization, including employees, vendors and customers are extremely enthusiastic about our further expansion and growth in Kentucky,” said Mark Gust, Owner of Industrial Automation. “Industrial Automation holds a firm strategy of supporting our customers regionally. Our new plant in Franklin gives us a central location and will allow us to support our customers in the region. The jobs we will be adding in Kentucky are good-paying jobs with excellent benefits. We look forward to becoming a valued member of this business community.”

Governor Steve Bashear’s Office said Industrial Automation has outgrown its current facility in Bowling Green and needs more operating space. Due to time constraints and a lack of available space in the area, Industrial Automation began looking at other options, including possibly moving its facility and eight jobs to another state. The company discovered a vacant 23,000-square-foot building in Franklin, Kentucky, about 20 miles south of Bowling Green.

The project is the result of a partnership between Industrial Automation, Simpson County officials and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a perfect example of regionalism at its finest,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “I applaud Simpson and Bowling Green officials for working together to not only save existing jobs, but also provide a local company the necessary resources to expand, invest and create additional jobs. I also extend my sincerest congratulations and wish Industrial Automation continued success for many years to come.”

“Since we were unable to accommodate their facility needs here in Warren County, we are very pleased to see that neighboring Simpson County was able to provide Industrial Automation with the space they needed to expand,” said Ron Bunch, President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “The south central Kentucky region has a strong industrial base, and we are delighted that they will be staying in the region and contributing to our growing economy.”

To encourage the investment and job creation in Simpson County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved the company for tax incentives up to $500,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

“The city of Franklin certainly welcomes Industrial Automation,” said Franklin Mayor Ronnie Clark. “This Michigan-based company is taking a vacant industrial building and providing employment opportunities for Franklin. They will be a great addition to our city.”

Exclusive Research