Clermont County has approved grant assistance to four local companies that are undertaking expansions. Through the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Cultural Development Foundation (SOACDF), Clermont County has funding to create economic and job opportunities in communities adversely affected by the reduction in demand for tobacco. As Ohio's fifth largest tobacco producing county, Clermont County had $300,000 available for fiscal year 2007 to help businesses undertake projects that create jobs. All four projects recommended for funding this year were existing businesses planning facility expansions.
Orbit Manufacturing is a Batavia Township-based plastics manufacturer. Established in 1984, the company produces various plastic displays and product promotions. Unable to meet demand with its current facility, the company plans to add 9,000 square feet to its existing building and eight more staff members.
Like Orbit, Wright Tuning is also a Batavia Township manufacturer, but it produces custom parts for performance automobiles, including Nissan. Lifelong Clermont County resident and company owner John Wright plans to add 8,229 square feet at his business so that he can add a chassis dynamometer system and composite body vehicle shop. The expansion will allow Wright Tuning to add seven employees.
Gardner Rigging is a New Richmond business that paints and exports large equipment. The grant will allow the company to add a 4,700 square foot bay and 30-ton crane to enable the company to work on equipment up to 40,000 pounds. The addition is also intended to make working with the large machines safer for the four employees the company will add.
The final grant recipient this year is Victory Industrial Products, whose expansion was announced in last month's e-newsletter. The company is building a 70,000 square foot facility in Batavia Township and will use the grant assistance to help with the purchase of metal working equipment that the company uses to manufacture accessories for industrial backup power generators.
SOACDF grants are awarded on a rolling basis and Clermont County has used its entire allotment this year. A new round of funding is expected to become available in July 2007. Companies interested in applying for the SOACDF program in the future should contact the Office of Economic Development at (513) 732-7915.
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