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ATS' Rob Wilkerson announces expansion in Columbia, KY Good news from CACEDA meeting. Total of ten new jobs coming with local expansion. Assisted Transportation Systems (ATS) to become authorized Chrysler Manufacturing Second Step Manufacturing Facility. Columbia/Adair County Economic Development Authority facilitates expansion by approving the establishment of a new showroom, signage, display area, and endorsement of transfer of Mobility Dealership License to the Green River Commerce Park. New dealership will sell only mobility vans. Click on headline for story with other news on Build Ready Site at Green River Commerce Park; status of "Ambassador" job report from meeting in Frankfort with Cabinet for Economic Development Personnel, Treasurer's report, and more. By Ed Waggener Rob Wilkerson chose the regular meeting of the Columbia/Adair County Economic Development Authority, on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, to announce yet another expansion of his manufacturing and sales facilities in Columbia, KY - and asked for and got approval of the authority for moving his Mobility License from another location on KY 206 in Columbia to the industrial park. "We couldn't have asked for a more cooperative group to work with," Mr. Wilkerson said. "Everybody, including Chairman Mark Dykes, all the members present, Judge Mike Stephens and Mayor Curtis Hardwick were very supportive," he said. New Building underway, bringing ATS total footprint to 40,000 s.f. The new sales room will occupy part of a new 9,000 s.f. building already underway in the GR Commerce Park, being built by Columbia's Fabco on a site prepared by Brockman Construction Company of Columbia. The building will be modified with an added showroom, a fenced in display lot and will have a Chrysler approved sign display. Mr. Wilkerson estimated a net gain of 10 jobs, including three long distance drivers - two from Adair County and one from Russell County, already hired in anticipation of the expansion. The transport unit, Wilkerson Auto & Mobility, will also cut days off deliveries of vehicles shipped to buyers across the U.S. and abroad, he said. With that building, ATS will now have approximately 40,000 s.f. total plant and headquarters under roof, with the 12,000 s.f. Toyota Conversion plant on Fairground Street added to three buildings on Development Drive: The original two buildings purchased from Mark Karnes, a 12,000 s.f. main plant added on the north side of Development Drive, and now, the new 9,000 s.f. manufacturing show room building scheduled for completion by October of this year. Wilkerson told those at the CACEDA meeting that the state of Kentucky requires a special licensure for vehicles used as mobility vans. CACEDA Board member Tony Corbin said that his research on sales in the Park indicated that the authority had might have to modify some language in the park's bylaws, but he would be for manufacturing plants having adjacent wholesale sales rooms by their plants. The motion by member Mike Curry, with a second by member Ann Martin, to make any needed changes to facility the license transfer was unanimous, with Curry and Martin joined by Chairman Mark Dykes, and members Tony Corbin, Randy Burns, and Anthony Janes joining in the affirmative. In addition to the driving jobs, he said that he expects to add three more sales people and at least four more for an additional high skill manufacturing team. "One of the biggest advantages we've gotten from the local community has been the addition of the welding school at Adair County High School. "For our business and for other manufacturers, the school has been a godsend. We're getting people already trained, and they come with the discipline instilled by the schools and a work ethic that meets our demanding standards." ATS has already bought 300 vehicles through Chrysler in calendar year 2015, and expects that number to increase with the enhanced dealer relationship with Chrysler. He told the CACEDA group that Chrysler officials have inspected the ATS facility and are impressed with the quality of their work, with their crash test results, with the park, and with Columbia's strategic location as a transportation hub. "Logistics and time are fundamental to manufacturing," he said. "They know what all of us in manufacturing know; we need incoming materials to arrive as quickly as possible and finished products to reach our customers as fast as possible." Treasurer Mike Curry reports $131,862.03 on hand Treasurer Mike Curry reported that CACEDA had $131,862.03 on hand June 15, 2015 with one check written for registration with the Commonwealth of Kentucky for $25.00 and interest income of $16.32 for an ending balance of $131,853.35. The registration papers, Mr. Curry said, have been filed and the authority is in good standing on newly enacted legislation now in effect. The treasurer's report was approved unanimously on a motion by Member Anthony Janes with a second by Member Tony Corbin. Update on Build Ready site Chairman Dykes said that County Attorney Jennifer Hutchison Corbin had reviewed the contract with the Alliance Group to prepare the marketing material for the Green River Commerce Park's Build Ready Site and had re-worded provisions for insurance, which she found to be redundant; the change will save the authority money, but the amount of the savings was not stated. Member Anthony Janes said that Jeff Arnold, the engineer for the authority, had reviewed bids for the Build Ready Site preparation, and would compare the bids to see that all bidders understand specifications and then recommend which contractor to go with. John Brockman, Columbia, KY was lowest, and Pyles Excavating and Egypt Construction, also Adair County firms, had bids under $20,000. Idea of hiring an ambassador tabled The idea of hiring an "ambassador" for the authority was tabled, though a majority seem in favor of hiring a person part time. Member Mike Curry said that he is still opposed the hiring such a person based on past results with industrial recruiters and others who have held the title. Chairman Mark Dykes, who favors such a position, said that he would be the first to say that the front line for economic development lies with the County Judge Executive and the Mayor of Columbia, and wants to explore how much of the "ambassador" work might be done by the officer manager, but he felt that the ambassador could do a lot identifying local businesses which could grow with a little help from the authority. Holly Grimsley reports on Community Day in Frankfort Deputy County Judge Executive Holly Grimsley reported on the CACEDA/Columbia/Adair leadership visit with Economic Development in Frankfort, saying it was very productive and that Columbia is very much on the Cabinet for Economic Development's minds. She said they pointed out advantages and needs in candid terms. Mayor Curtis Hardwick, said that he found the day very helpful. He said that in the past the community would only get the attention of 1 or 2 of the state employees, but that on this trip there was at least a dozen. The Deputy CJE said that actually 18 State Economic Development People spent the day with the Columbia visitors. Present at the meeting were Chairman Mark Dykes, Members Ann Martin, Tony Corbin, Anthony Janes, Randy Burns, and Mike Curry; Judge Mike Stephens, Mayor Curis Hardwick, Deputy CJE Holly Grimsley, and members of the media. This story was posted on 2015-07-22 16:21:21
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