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AEP Ohio´s Economic Development managers Chuck Corbitt and Marty Walsh are hard at work, helping to bring new investments and ultimately jobs to the state. Samuel Strapping Systems, a division of Samuel Manu-Tech, is the most recent recipient of the group´s assistance, receiving $100,000 from the AEP Ohio Economic Development Rate Stabilization Plan (RSP) grant program as part of an overall relocation incentive package from local and state organizations.
The manufacturer and supplier of North America´s broadest range of steel and plastic strapping and equipment built a new state-of-the-art facility in Health, Ohio. Production from other locations will be moved to this new $15 million, 151,000-square foot facility, according to Jim Waterman, Samuel Strapping Systems operations manager. "The AEP Ohio grant was a major factor in selecting the Heath location," Waterman said, adding that a number of other sites within Ohio and other states were considered. The new plant will create more than 60 new jobs and retain more than 30 jobs from a small operation located nearby that could not accommodate an expansion, he said. Walsh began conversations with Samuel Strapping representatives in August 2005 at the request of the developer working to bring the company to the area. "The AEP Ohio Economic Development RSP grant program is an effective tool to help maintain working relationships with our local economic development organizations and the Ohio Department of Development," Walsh explained. "The RSP grant program provides financial assistance to new and existing industries for expansion projects that create new jobs, retain existing jobs and generate new investment within the AEP Ohio service territory." Program funds, totaling $8 million, are designated to assist with the cost of utility infrastructure and are reimbursed once construction is complete, he added. Funding assistance is based on new investment, new or retained jobs and competition from other locations. Once the Heath site was selected, Jeff VanDine, AEP Ohio customer service engineer, coordinated the engineering and construction of AEP Ohio facilities. The estimated demand for this new facility is 4 megawatts. Since January 2006, AEP Ohio has offered 26 prospect grants. The active grants represent more than 1,400 new jobs, 1,750 retained jobs, 60 megawatts of new load and $900 million in capital investment for Ohio communities served by AEP Ohio. |
