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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Kalida Manufacturing Invests $22 Million To Expand Its Putnam County, Ohio, Manufacturing Center

02/05/2013
Kalida Manufacturing Inc, an automotive supplier, plans to invest more than $22 million to expand its manufacturing plant in the village of Kalida, Ohio, with plans to create 67 new jobs in Putnam County.

KMI is a Tier II stamping and welding plant producing auto frame sub components for Honda vehicles. Expansion plans include presses and robotic welding lines as well as the construction of a new road adjacent to the plant, The firm’s investment also includes the purchase of 600 ton and 2,500 ton presses and robotic welding lines. In addition to the job creation, this project will also secure the retention of 374 jobs, said Regional Growth Partnership, an economic development organization serving northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

“We are very proud to be located in the village of Kalida and Putnam County,” said Rick Esch, senior vice president at KMI, who also noted that the parent company, KTH Parts Industries in St. Paris, Ohio, played a major role in the expansion decision-making process. “The people in this community deserve a lot of credit for our past and future successes. This entire process has been very positive thanks to the support we have received.”

As an expansion incentive, Kalida received financial support from the state of Ohio’s Tax Credit Authority, which approved a series of incentives including a Jobs Creation Tax Credit, a Roadwork Development Grant and a Workforce Training Grant. The project was led by the Regional Growth Partnership, JobsOhio, and local economic development groups, including the Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation and the village of Kalida.

“KMI is a fantastic community partner which has expanded numerous times over the past 15 years, so it was great to see so many partners assist the company on this project,” said Martin Kuhlman, director of the Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation. “The RGP JobsOhio team played a valuable role in getting the incentive programs approved in a timely manner at the state level.”

Kuhlman added that the region competed for this project against other areas outside Ohio. Community support for the project, particularly with the new road, had a significant, positive impact on the company’s decision.

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