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Chart Industries Inc., an Ohio-based manufacturer of products and services for the energy, industrial gas and health care industries, announced plans today to open a manufacturing facility that will bring at least 100 new jobs to Owatonna.
The company plans to lease a vacant 141,000-square-foot industrial building along Interstate 35 in Owatonna, where it will manufacture equipment that is used to store and distribute liquefied natural gas (LNG).
In exchange for the company's jobs commitment, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will provide a $500,000 forgivable loan from its Minnesota Investment Fund and tax incentives under the agency's JOBZ program. DEED is also exploring the possibility of providing job training assistance under its Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.
Company officials expect the positions, mostly welding and fabricating jobs, to pay between $15 and $22 an hour.
"Chart's expansion is welcome news that will bring high-paying manufacturing jobs and economic growth to Owatonna," said DEED Commissioner Mark Phillips. "I applaud Chart's commitment to the community and commend DEED staff and Greater MSP for assisting the company with its growth plans in Minnesota."
"We look forward to ramping up the Owatonna facility and creating increased capacity for LNG equipment to meet current and future customer requirements," said Bill Haukoos, vice president of global LNG products for Chart's distribution and storage division. "Chart has been manufacturing in Minnesota since 1963, and we expect this long history to continue in both Owatonna and New Prague for years to come."
The company has an existing Minnesota facility in New Prague, where 415 people are employed. Company officials said the Owatonna expansion is due to increased demand in North America for LNG equipment. Chart last week reported a 52 percent increase in third quarter sales compared with the same period a year ago.
Company officials said even more jobs could be added at the Owatonna facility over the next few years, depending on the scale and timing of the LNG infrastructure build out in North America.
The company hopes to begin production in January at the Owatonna facility, located at 2355 Lemond Road. The 34-acre site was completed in 2000 and has been vacant since the departure of previous tenant Viracon Inc.
Anyone interested in employment with Chart can apply at 407 Seventh St. NW in New Prague or 2355 Lemond Road in Owatonna. Recruiters will be at the Owatonna facility on Tuesdays and Thursdays over the next several weeks. Other details are available at www.chart-ind.com or by calling 952-758-4484.
About DEED
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.
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