GIM Inc. To Employ Up To 135 Starting At $28 / hour
GIM, Inc. a partner of SPS Technology and a U.S. manufacturer of Sandwich Plate Systems, plans an investment $18,472,000 in a new manufacturing facility in the now vacant former Tokusen USA facility on West Weir Road in Scottsburg, according to Wendy Dant Chesser President of One Southern Indiana.
The proposed investment, could include nearly $10 million in land acquisition, $3 million in new construction, $1.125 million in renovation to existing buildings, over $3 million in lease payments, and over $1.25 million in new equipment, furnishings, fixtures, hardware and software, could result in up to 135 new full-time positions paying well above the average wage in Scott County, she said.
Company and One Southern Indiana representatives were scheduled to attend Monday evening’s Scottsburg City Council meeting to seek tax abatements.
GIM Inc. manufactures Sandwich Plate System, or SPS®, a load-bearing structural composite panel with a high strength-to-weight ratio and extended fatigue life, which makes it an ideal replacement for concrete in bridges, parking garages, stadiums and arenas, heavy duty and clean room floor panels, said company president Chris Gibbs.
Modular, prefabricated SPS® avoids the negative environmental effects of concrete while offering time savings and reducing road shutdowns and slowdowns during bridge construction, allowing many bridge projects to go from 6 to 12 months to an install time of 45 days and less, he said. GIM’s product lines also include agricultural, commercial and industrial building steel frames and educational facilities.
“This is an important strategic investment for GIM, Inc.,” said Gibbs. “We are launching entry into a market to meet the increased demand for environmentally sound, time-saving solutions for infrastructure in the United States. The State of Indiana, the City of Scottsburg and One Southern Indiana (1si) have been fantastic partners, working hard to make this process a smooth one.”
Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is offering an up to $1.9 million in incentive-based tax credits. The tax credits are performance-based, meaning GIM, Inc. is eligible to claim incentives once Indiana residents are hired.
In addition, Monday evening, the City of Scottsburg was to consider personal and real property tax abatements.
Initially in 2023 the company plans to hire 50 workers with a starting wage of $28 an hour and adding to their workforce up to 135 over the next four years.
“This is big news for the City of Scottsburg and for the region,” said Scottsburg Mayor Terry Amick. “We’re so excited to be working with the team at GIM, Inc. as they build on their success in Louisville and establish a vibrant presence in southern Indiana. This building has a great history and could serve as the perfect home for this company to grow here in Scottsburg.”
“Southern Indiana is quickly becoming known for advanced, environmentally-sound manufacturing and technology,” said Wendy Dant Chesser. “The consideration given by GIM, Inc. to open a facility in Scottsburg is further confirmation of the region’s growing appeal for companies like theirs.”
GIM, Inc. is a green sustainable manufacturing company founded to create and fabricate proprietary products for various industries and to provide structural engineering and design, with a proven network of suppliers to deliver on time. The company has developed a diverse portfolio of products to sustain the business through multiple types of economic shifts, and believes in supporting and fostering growth in the communities where they live and work.