Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Governor Culver, Mayor Gudgel And Hendricks Industries Announces 350 New Wind Energy Jobs In Keokuk
New Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Company will Produce Wind Turbine Towers
(Des Moines) Today, Governor Chet Culver and Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel joined officials from Hendricks Industries to announce plans for the company to open a wind turbine tower advanced manufacturing plant in Keokuk, creating 350 high-quality jobs and more than $34 million in capital investment, pending approval of state incentives.
"We are very pleased to announce plans for a wind tower manufacturing plant in Keokuk, Iowa," said Ken Hendricks, owner of the Hendricks Holding Group. "Our new location in Iowa, the heart of America's windbelt, puts our company in the perfect position to serve a market that is projected to triple production by the year 2020. We look forward to joining the Keokuk community and are grateful for the support state and local officials provided during our search process. Hendricks Industries brings a tremendous amount of knowledge of the wind turbine tower industry having produced tubular towers for wind turbines since 1982. The Keokuk site provides low cost opportunities by maximizing barge transportation and minimizing rail transportation."
Hendricks Industries is moving forward with two separate projects, both within the city of Keokuk. The wind turbine tower manufacturing project is expected to create 350 jobs with an average wage of $23.50 and a 347,000 sq. ft. facility, generating $32 million in capital investment. On average, the wind turbine towers stand 260 feet tall and weigh about 80 tons. The company is also planning a Southeast Iowa Port Terminal improvement project, which is expected to create 10 jobs and retain 22 jobs with an average wage of $19.10 and generate $2.5 million in capital investment.
Governor Chet Culver met with Hendricks Industries officials during his Iowa renewable energy advocacy trip to Europe.
"I am delighted to welcome Hendricks Industries to Iowa," said Culver. “In making its decision, Hendricks recognized what we in Iowa have known all along – our workforce and quality of life are second-to-none. We have a booming wind industry in the state of Iowa. Thanks to this commitment to wind energy, Iowa now ranks third in the nation in wind energy production. To keep our economy moving forward and continue bringing quality jobs to our state, we will continue to aggressively recruit new high-quality companies like Hendricks Industries to Iowa."
In the past two years, three major wind energy manufacturers have chosen Iowa as the place to establish their North American production facilities - Acciona Energy, Siemens Wind Power and Clipper Windpower.
Mayor David Gudgel and officials from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) have been working closely with company officials to finalize the deal.
"This announcement is fantastic and highly emotional economic news for Keokuk, my citizens and the State of Iowa," said Mayor Gudgel. Today's news is a testament to the painstaking work involved, accomplished by so many, in order to make Keokuk an attractive location for value added industrial growth. It is also a testament to Mr. Ken Hendricks and his staff for their belief in Keokuk, our work ethic, our pride and the assets we maintain which offers the potential for high quality job creation. Today is one of the more proud days in my life and this thought is surely shared by all who call Keokuk their home."
"Our proud tradition in advanced manufacturing coupled with our position in the Windbelt makes Iowa the ideal location for both wind energy turbines and the production facilities that produce them," said IDED Director Mike Tramontina. "A recent study projects that, within a 600 mile radius of Iowa, $3.2 billion dollars in wind generation projects will be constructed each year over the next 7 years. That equals $22.4 billion in new economic development potential for the region."