ATLANTA (July 1, 2010) – State Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) commended the Hart County Industrial Building Authority for winning two Economic Development, Growth and Expansion Grants (EDGE Grants) awarded by the OneGeorgia Authority. The Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc. received a $1.4 million award and Ritz Instrument Transformers received a $200,000 award.
“These awards are a product of Hart County’s hard work and unrelenting effort. These dollars will ensure our communities continue to see growth and prosperity,” said Butterworth. “Thank you to the OneGeorgia Authority for their sustained commitment to seeing Northeast Georgia develop and succeed.”
The EDGE Fund provides financial assistance to eligible applicants being considered as a relocation or expansion site and are competing with another state for location of a project. The EDGE Fund is used when the health, welfare, safety and economic security of Georgia citizens are promoted through the development and/or retention of employment opportunities.
EDGE grant funds of $1.4 million were awarded to assist with the purchase of machinery and equipment to support the expansion of Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc. (Tenneco), a leading manufacturer of emission control and ride control products, and systems for the passenger car and light truck markets. Tenneco’s ride control manufacturing facility has been in Hartwell since the 1960’s. This facility produces shock absorbers and currently employs 220 people. As a result of the economy and the state of the automotive industry, Tenneco is restructuring operations which include the closure of a manufacturing plant in Cozad, Nebraska. Those manufacturing processes will be transferred to the Hartwell plant. The company will improve its existing facility where there is sufficient space for expansion in addition to purchasing machinery and equipment. Tenneco, a Fortune 500 company, operates 84 manufacturing facilities worldwide and employs approximately 21,000 people. The total project cost is $10.4 million. The expansion will create 180 new jobs in two years and retain 220 jobs, resulting in 400 jobs. Nebraska, Ohio and Mexico were also competing for this project.
EDGE grant funds were awarded to assist with site preparation to support the location of Ritz Instrument Transformers, Inc. (RIT), a power transformer manufacturer, in Lavonia in Hart County. Ritz, founded in 1991, is a German manufacturer of instrument transformers used in electrical transmission power systems. The company will construct a 37,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in the newly established Gateway II Industrial Park. Ritz, with facilities worldwide, including three in Germany and one each in Austria, Hungary and China, will manufacture and market low and medium voltage products in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. The Lavonia facility will be the sole operation in the United States. Total project costs will total $3.4 million. The construction of the new manufacturing facility will create 50 new jobs in two years. South Carolina was also in competition for the facility site.
The OneGeorgia Authority serves as a financial partner and catalyst in helping rural communities maintain excellent quality of life advantages while also creating sustainable and diversified economies. From land acquisition, infrastructure development, airport enhancements and broadband creation to machinery purchases, business relocation assistance and entrepreneur support, OneGeorgia provides grants and loans for these economic development activities to qualified applicants.
Sen. Jim Butterworth serves as chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, and Hart counties along with a portion of White County. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at jim.butterworth@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
July 1, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028