Platform trailer manufacturer to make nearly $3 million investment 

 FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 24, 2012) – Governor Steve Beshear today announced Transcraft Corp., a platform trailer manufacturer, will add 80 jobs, build a new 12,000-square-foot painting facility and purchase new equipment as part of a nearly $3 million investment in Cadiz.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that the Commonwealth is partnering with Transcraft to make this investment possible and bring 80 jobs to Cadiz,” Gov. Beshear said. “Transcraft is a long-standing and well-respected corporate citizen, and this expansion is a milestone on the company’s long road of success here in Kentucky.”

Headquartered at International Drive in Cadiz, Transcraft is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wabash National^® Corp. and is one of the leading manufacturers of platform trailers in North America. Established in 1962, Transcraft offers a wide range of flatbed, drop deck and truck bodies to meet the needs of the commercial vehicle and construction industries.

“Transcraft is an integral part of the Wabash National family,” said Dick Giromini, president and CEO, Wabash National Corp.. “With leading brands and expertise in designing, producing and distributing platform trailers, both Transcraft and Benson have a loyal following. We appreciate the support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the leadership of Trigg County and the commitment from the fine folks in Cadiz as we expand to meet evolving customer needs.”

“Transcraft is excited to announce the next step of our dynamic growth in Cadiz. Even with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and a dedicated workforce ready to meet current demand, it is necessary to increase capacity by adding new equipment and expanding our team to position this business to capitalize on a bright future,” added Rick Klein, general manager, Transcraft Corp.

To encourage the investment and job growth in Cadiz, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2 million 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.

“We always rejoice when one of our vital industries expand their operations,” said Sen. Ken Winters, of Murray. “Eighty new jobs will certainly impact our local economy.”

“This is great news both for Transcraft and those of us who will benefit from this sizeable investment,” said Rep. John Tilley, of Hopkinsville. “I want to thank the company for taking this step because it will be a much-needed boost for our local economy, and I’m glad that the state could play a role in making this happen.”

“We are excited that Transcraft Corp. has made the decision to make a significant capital investment in their operation here in Cadiz,” said Cadiz Mayor Lyn Bailey. “We are proud that Transcraft Corp. continues to have the confidence to grow their business in the location where they both live and work. Currently Transcraft has created more than 300 quality jobs for our citizens, making them one of the area’s largest expanding industries. We look to many more years of our continued partnership.”

“Our community is blessed to have Transcraft’s presence here,” said Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries. “We welcome their growth and expansion and see this as a very strong statement in the midst of a tough economy. We are excited to share in this opportunity here in Cadiz-Trigg County.”

For more information on Transcraft, visit www.transcraft.com.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

3:00 p.m.

Interstate 24 Business Park

489 International Drive

Cadiz, Kentucky 42211

Please join the Cadiz EDC as we celebrate an economic develoment announcement creating an

investment in Cadiz, Kentucky.  All are wellcome to attend!  Reception will follow ceremony.

Lori Ricks, engineering teacher at Trigg County High School, said she works hard on her own leadership skills because she knows that inspiring her students to develop and communicate their visions and show their leadership capabilities are key components in making them successful engineers one day.

“These capabilities include the ability to assess risks and take initiatives, the ability to make logical decisions, a sense of real-world constraints, flexibility in the face of failures and trust in their team,” she said.

Ricks, who has taught engineering at Trigg County High for eight years, has experienced several moments of success in that area with her students.

She also has been honored for her work with them, winning numerous honors from multiple organizations.

After working more than eight years as a marketing and technical service engineer for Trane, Ricks introduced Trigg County High to Project Lead The Way (PLTW) “to open doors that were closed for students exploring careers in engineering,” Ricks said. “I was originally hired to lead public relations activities with the goal of introducing the PLTW program to Trigg County students, ultimately increasing enrollment to 20-25 percent of the high school students in the PLTW classes.”

Ricks soon began teaching the program and has had the number-one test scores in Kentucky for three consecutive years on the PLTW end-of-course assessments, she said.

Ricks said PLTW has fostered leadership in her students, giving them a chance to make big contributions in the Hopkinsville area.

Two students, Matt Savage and Lance Gilliland, developed a virtual building for the local Economic Development Commission “based solely off of a brainstormed community idea,” Ricks said. “Although the construction is awaiting a new business opportunity, the building design is complete on Revit and is being used on the website and in marketing information sent out to new business recruits for the community.

“In May, this project was showcased during the Student Technology Leadership Program State Competition and won a Best In Showcase award,” she added. “The hope is new construction and businesses will see the virtual building and envision what their building could look like on the site, ultimately reducing the current unemployment rate of 16.9 percent in Trigg County.”

Brenda Southwick, community education director for Trigg County, praised Ricks’ organization, vision and her commitment to her students and the engineering program. Southwick is especially impressed with Ricks’ ability to extend learning outside the classroom.

She has a “willingness to step beyond the boundaries of her classroom and expand STEM into middle school science,” Southwick said.

Ricks has hosted “E-Day” for 1,000 district students in grades K-5 where elementary students are introduced to the STEM concepts, and every summer, she puts together a Society of Manufacturing Engineers Summer Camp for 8th-grade students.

She initiated the idea of a Regional Engineering Summit four years ago and wrote grants to secure funds for it. The summit consists of seven schools and more than 100 students who get to show STEM knowledge and capabilities for nearly 50 community/industry partners in a real-world environment.

Teacher breakout sessions also are included in the summit.

“Lori gives her time and talents to work with other teachers who are starting programs and/or want assistance with existing programs,” Southwick said, “and her students often graduate with full scholarships in engineering programs as well as several hours of college credit completed.”

Kayak Design And build:

1^st place – Samantha harper, Kelsey Royce,
Danielle Jergens, Christy Garcia

2^nd place – Ellen Shipley, Jessica Stewart,
Mallory Mize, Kayce Stewart, Sarah Shipley

Architectural Design:

2^nd place – Danielle Jergens

Civil Structural Engineering Testing:

1^st Place – Chance Lancaster, Clarke Boyd

Manufacturing CO2 Dragsters:

1^st place- Landon Sumner

Engineering Design and Problem Solving:

1^st Place – Ryan McCloud and Trace Kuberski

Robotics Photocell Sorters:

2^nd Place – Kendal Merrick

Don Leibee, Chairman, Todd King, Vice-Chairman & Lori Ricks, Secretary/Treasurer

Don Leibee: President and Chief Executive Officer,
Cadiz Bancorp, Inc. and Bank of Cadiz & Trust Co.

Don Leibee  has been active in economic  development in  Cadiz and several other Economic Development  organizations.  Don has  been with the Bank of Cadiz & Trust Co. since  2002.  The Bank is  the only local bank headquartered in Cadiz/Trigg County  with total  assets of $95 million.  Don currently serves on the board of  Directors  of Trigg County Hospital, Inc. and  the Board of Directors of  the  Kentucky Bankers Association, Louisville, Ky.  Don is a member of the   local Rotary Club and has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree  from  Eastern Kentucky University. Don can be reached at  270.522.6066 or don@bankofcadiz.com.

Todd King: Owner, Kings Funeral Home

Todd King is a lifelong resident of Trigg County.  Todd  owns and operates King’s Funeral Home in  Cadiz and  serves on the city  council.  Todd has  served as the Middle School Cross Country Coach and  the Assistant High School  Boys Basketball coach.  He has been  involved  with the ABA Basketball Program as past director, coach and referee. Todd can be reached at 270.522.7172 or kingsfh1@bellsouth.net.

Lori Ricks: High School Engineering  Teacher

Lori Ricks is a native of Trigg County.  Lori has 9  years experience as an  Engineer.  Her experience includes  research and  design, marketing, technical support, and customer service for  HVAC  installation and maintenance.  Lori  is currently the teacher of the  PLTW Pre-Engineering classes at Trigg County   High School.  The program  is certified to give college  credit to high school students who meet  strict national criteria.  Lori is also certified nationally to teach   PLTW classes.  Lori is an active member  of the site base council,  technology committee, and PTO.  She also has her Masters in Engineering   Management from Murray   State University. Lori can be reached  at 270.522.2220 or lori.ricks@trigg.kyschools.us.

Regional IndustryAppreciation Luncheon

 featuring Christian, Todd and Trigg Counties

to be held on
Tuesday, December 6 at the James E. Bruce Convention Center.

Our
special guest speaker will be

 President and CEO of the Nashville Area
Chamber of Commerce, Ralph Schulz,

 who has more than 30 years’ experience
in non-profit management, marketing and fundraising.

The
event is  FREE industry members 

 and $25 per non-industry guest.

 Please reply with the total number and
names of your attendees by November 29, 2011 so we can confirm number
attending.  Please RSVP  at 522-1170 or by email at:  info@triggindustry.com

]]> http://triggindustry.com/annual-regional-industry-appreciation-luncheon-december-6th-triggchristian-todd-counties/feed/ 0 http://triggindustry.com/demographic-reports-of-i24-business-park-25-40-and-60-mile-radius/ http://triggindustry.com/demographic-reports-of-i24-business-park-25-40-and-60-mile-radius/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:10:14 +0000 HMmaster http://triggindustry.com/?p=717

The sale price is $695,000 - price is negotiable.  Lease option may be considered. For more information, please contact EDC Director, Sharon Butts at 270-522-1170.

Industrial Building Attributes and Amenities

• Zoned Industrial
• 12,000 sq. ft manufacturing space
• 1,000 sq. ft. of office space
• Constructed in 2005
• Ownership: Private
• Metal construction
• Primary use – manufacturing
• Ceiling Heights 24′
• 2 Outside Truck Docks
• 1 Drive-in Truck Door
• 6 inch floor thickness
• 4-inch gas line to building
• 6-inch water line to building
• 10-inch sewer line to building
• Served by Pennyrile Electric/TVA
• 3-phase electrical
• Gravel parking available – 60 plus spaces
• Technically skilled workforce

Building Access

• Located in Trigg County Business Park
• Adjacent to US Hwy 68/KY Hwy 80 (four lane)
• Within 0.5 miles of Interstate 24
• 93 miles to Nashville International Airport
• 17 miles to Eddyville Riverport
• Population base of 427,269 within a 40-mile radius
• Labor force base of 202,745 within a 40-mile radius
• Part of a 289,000 MSA

Within 250 miles of Major United States Markets:

• Chattanooga, TN
• Louisville, KY
• Huntsville, AL
• Memphis, TN
• Indianapolis, IN
• Nashville, TN
• Knoxville, TN
• St. Louis, MO
• Lexington, KY
• Tupelo, MS