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 “Illinois has been home to Union Iron for more than 160 years,”
Governor Quinn said. “This expansion will mean even more jobs and
economic growth for a company that has evolved with our state’s
agricultural and industrial markets. With our highly skilled
workforce and easy access to the rest of the world, there is no
better place for Union Iron to grow and thrive.”
“We are very pleased about the opportunity to have all of the Union
Iron operations contained within one facility. This will enhance the
effectiveness and productivity of our operations and improve the
service levels we provide to our customers,” Gary Anderson,
president and CEO of the parent company, Ag Growth International (AGI)
said. “The team at Union Iron has done an excellent job of keeping
up with the growth in our domestic and international business, this
new facility will allow us to continue to grow and improve the Union
Iron product line.”
“We appreciate the efforts of the state of Illinois, local economic
development officials, Macon County and the City of Decatur for
their support of the project,” Mike Brotherton, general manager of
Union Iron said. “We will realize significant improvements in
efficiency and overall operational capacity and thus will be
instrumental in satisfying the growing needs of our customers.”
The new 135,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will be built for
Union Iron at 3550 E. Mound Road. The company selected the site so
it could bring several locations under one roof. Access to the
state’s superior transportation network, highly-educated workforce,
culture of entrepreneurship and competitive cost structure was vital
in its decision to expand in Illinois.
Union Iron’s expansion was made possible by a state incentive
package worth an estimated $1.1 million over 10 years. The incentive
is primarily a credit against the company’s state income tax
liability under the state’s Economic Development for a Growing
Economy, or EDGE, program. The package also includes a $41,000 grant
for job training. The EDGE program, administered by the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), requires
companies to meet agreed-upon targets for job creation or retention
and capital investment to receive the credits.
The agreement requires Union Iron to invest at least $10.3 million
at its Decatur location over the next 10 years. Besides creating 25
full-time jobs within two years, the company also has pledged to
retain its existing 115 full-time positions in Decatur.
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“This is the type of project we are proud to support,” DCEO
Director Adam Pollet said. “By helping this manufacturer become
more efficient, the state is helping a storied Illinois company
continue to grow and succeed in the Land of Lincoln.”
Today’s announcement follows news earlier this month that
Illinois’ unemployment rate declined in July to 6.8 percent from
June’s 7.1 percent. During July, 11,200 private sector jobs were
added statewide, including 3,900 manufacturing jobs.
The state’s unemployment rate has fallen steadily since July
2013, when it stood at 9.2 percent, and has completed its
steepest 12-month decline of 2.4 percentage points since August
1984. Since February 2010, Illinois has added 263,100 private
sector jobs.
Union Iron is one of the state’s oldest manufacturers. Founded
in 1852 in Decatur, Union Iron is now owned by Canadian-based
AGI. The company began by building steam engines. Over the
years, it has evolved into a manufacturer of conveying equipment
and related components for commercial and farm grain handling
systems.
Union Iron currently employs 115 at its two Decatur facilities,
as well as 100 seasonal employees from March through September
on an annual basis.
For more information on doing business in Illinois, visit
www.illinois.gov/dceo
[FROM THE OFFICE OF ILLINOIS GOVERNOR
PAT QUINN]
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