RKO Enterprises to Expand Operations; Add 20+ New Jobs

Emergency Equipment Company to Grow its Madison Operations RKO Enterprises, a custom emergency equipment manufacturer, announced it will expand its Southern Indiana operations here, adding more than 20 new jobs. The Madison-based company, which designs and builds rescue equipment for fire departments around the world, will invest more than $500,000 to expand and equip an existing facility in Jefferson County to accommodate new business modifying and refurbishing large fire trucks. "There is nothing more encouraging in a tough economy than to see homegrown Indiana companies like RKO win new business and create opportunities for Hoosiers," said Governor Mitch Daniels. The company, which currently employs eight at its Madison facility, will add foremen and assembly associates over the next three years. "We are very excited to grow our business here in Indiana," said Keith Olson, president of RKO Enterprises. "It is an honor to build and design the equipment that brave firefighters and rescue workers use to keep our communities safe. We appreciate the overwhelming support and prompt response from the state and county which will allow us to begin filling new orders very quickly." The 10-year-old company leads the country in the manufacturing of skid units, self-contained firefighting apparatuses which mount on truck and all-terrain vehicle platforms. The company recently won a contract to customize the units for Polaris utility vehicles. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered RKO Enterprises up to $55,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $13,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. Jefferson County will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Economic Development Partners of Jefferson County. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to help a local company grow and provide jobs in this tough economic environment," said Joe Craig, Jefferson County Councilor. Since the creation of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in 2005, more than 60 companies have located or expanded their headquarters in the Hoosier state, bringing the promise of more than 10,000 new headquarters jobs and more than a billion dollars in new capital investment. About RKO Enterprises RKO Enterprises manufactures emergency equipment for fire departments around the world. 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 Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov