Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from automotive supplier Millennium Industries on August 20 to announce the company's plans to expand its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Ligonier, Ind., creating more than 170 new jobs by 2011.
The company, which manufactures fuel rails and power steering components for original equipment manufacturers in the automotive industry, will invest more than $9.2 million to upgrade equipment and add 30,000 square feet of production and warehouse space at its North Main Street facility.
"The 170 new jobs Millennium plans to add in the coming years is great news, but it's the technology these new associates will manufacture that has the most far-reaching impact," said Daniels.
The expansion will make room for the company's direct injection fuel system manufacturing operations, a move that will make the north central Indiana facility the leading manufacturer in the United States of the technology that allows automakers to make smaller engines without compromising power.
Founded in 1997, the company employs more than 250 at its Indiana facility and plans to begin hiring additional production associates maintenance technicians and supervisory associates in the first quarter of 2009 to prepare for a new production line scheduled to open later in the year.
"This project is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to retain and create new jobs in Indiana and the United States," said Robert Vollmar, president and chief executive officer of Millennium Industries. "We thank both the state and local governments for their support in making this project a reality."
Millennium Industries current production capacity is more than five million fuel rails and three million power steering components annually, Vollmar said.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Millennium Industries up to $545,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $80,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Ligonier will consider property tax abatement at the request of the Noble County Economic Development Corporation.
"Ligonier wishes to honor Millennium Industries for their ability to discover, develop and deliver new technology in a time of great need," said Patty Fisel, mayor of Ligonier. "We are excited for them and for the future hope they give to Ligonier. The promise of new jobs is a reflection of the resilience of a people with forethought and determination."
Millennium Industries' expansion in Indiana comes less than a month after global economic development firm Development Counsellors International ranked Indiana tenth in a survey of the nation's best states for doing business. The accolade, which follows CNBC naming Indiana the "most improved state for business in 2008", marks the first time in history the state finished in the top 10 of the annual survey of states.
About Millennium Industries
Millennium Industries is a leading manufacturer of fuel rails and power steering components for original equipment manufacturers in the automotive industry. With more than 600 workers in the Midwest, Millennium has the capacity to produce more than five million fuel rails and three million power steering components each year.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. Since Daniels created the IEDC, the state has posted three consecutive years of record-breaking commitments for new jobs. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
