By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Lowell-based Attwood Corporation will relocate its Lancaster, TX manufacturing operations to the Lowell plant, creating 50 jobs by 2015. The Lowell location beat out the company’s Forest Park, GA location for the move even though that facility offers a lower wage base.
Company officials cited Lowell’s strong employee pool, a $452,000 High-Technology MEGA Credit and a $1 million personal property tax abatement through the City of Lowell over the next 12 years as reasons for choosing the Lowell site.
Attwood Corporation is a marine parts and accessories supplier and operates advanced engineering and test facilities for the marine industry.
“This was a tremendous win, not only for the City of Lowell, but for the state as a whole,” says Lowell City Manager, David Pasquale. “Competing with other states, like Georgia, is not easy. But, we remained confident that the assets our region offers would win out in the end.”
Grand Rapids-based Right Place Inc, an economic development corporation, played a key role in negotiating the tax incentives and securing the facility's move to Michigan.
“Attwood’s decision to consolidate their operations in West Michigan demonstrates the superior capabilities of our region’s workforce and economic development efforts,” said Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “We remain in a highly competitive environment with other states and our ability to quickly work together equips us with a powerful strategic advantage.”
Attwood officials expect the jobs to pay some $571 in weekly wages plus partial payment of health care benefits.
Source: The Right Place Inc.
Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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