We work a lot of economic development leads, putting prospective businesses in contact with Kent property owners and creating incentive packages to help make new business plans work. We chase a lot which makes landing one that much sweeter. We got notice from one of those leads yesterday that their deal works, and they made an official announcement of their plans to spend $4 million to open a state of the art light manufacturing facility in Kent. They are expecting to hire 30-40 people right away and they expect that number to double within a couple of years. Read more about our newest corporate neighbor.
I am delighted to report that Cambria (out of Minneapolis MN), the only producer of natural quartz surfaces in the United States, purchased the old Penn Engineering Building located at 1510 St. Clair Avenue (Davey Industrial Park) where they plan to spend $4 million to open a state-of-the-art operations facility slated to open in early 2008.
Cambria plans an initial employment of 30-40 employees, but they expect that number to grow to 70-80 in the next couple of years. I’ve attached the official press release from Cambria (see below) that offers more insight into their interest in Kent and their product line.
In today’s tough economic climate, it’s a real challenge to grow and attract businesses, so this success story is a credit to the hard of work of our staff to help pull the deal together and make it happen.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jayme Brandanger
952.944.1676
Jayme.Brandanger@CambriaUSA.com
CAMBRIA TO OPEN STATE-OF-THE-ART OPERATIONS FACILITY IN OHIO
Natural Quartz Countertop Enterprise to Bring New Jobs to Kent Area
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (August 21, 2007) –
Over the next several months, Cambria will install quartz fabrication equipment in the Kent facility located at 1510 St. Clair Avenue. The new operations facility will serve all of Ohio and greater Pittsburgh, PA.
Cambria natural quartz surfaces are used for residential and commercial applications including countertops, shower and tub surrounds, vanities and flooring. The 75,000 square foot facility will also manufacture custom-made furniture tabletops, fireplace surrounds, desk tops, coffee and end table tops, wet bar areas, and window sills. Cambria is available through kitchen and bath retailers throughout Ohio.
The $4 million operations facility is the sixth Cambria-owned facility in the United States. Cambria is a Minnesota based company with multiple operations in the United States and Canada including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Toronto. Cambria is available through builders, designers/architect and kitchen/bath retailers throughout all of North America. Cambria is a privately held, family-owned company with more than 500 employees. Headquartered in Le Sueur, Minn., Cambria is one of the few quartz surface plants in the world and the only producer of natural quartz surfaces in the United States. Cambria has a North American network of stone fabricator and installation partners that share Cambria’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Cambria focuses on quality, innovation and growth in their respective markets. Cambria is available to consumers via retail partners throughout North America. Cambria also exports its products throughout the world. For additional information about Cambria, or to locate the closest Cambria dealer, call 1-866-CAMBRIA or visit Cambria on the web at www.CambriaUSA.com.
“We are excited to open major operations in Ohio bringing new jobs to the Kent area,” said Tom Annexstad, Cambria’s Senior Vice President of Sales. “The strong local economy makes Kent an ideal location for our $4 million facility and we look forward to growing Cambria’s presence throughout the region.”
Cambria is the only producer of natural quartz surfaces in the United States. It is non-porous and certified by both NSF International as the safest type of surface for food preparation and is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality® and GREENGUARD For Children & Schools certified as the lowest-emitting type of building material – there is no safer surface available to consumers.
About Cambria
Cambria, the only producer of natural quartz surfaces in the United States, purchased a building in Kent, Ohio for their state-of-the-art operations facility slated to open in early 2008.