EHCIF Celebrates Manufacturing Month
The Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation (EHCIF) is celebrating Manufacturing Month by highlighting recent expansions and innovative product developments among local manufacturers. With approximately 80 manufacturers and supporting industries, more than 9,500 people work in the manufacturing sector in Hardin County, accounting for $421 million in earned wages.
“Over the past year, manufacturers created more than 300 new jobs in our area,” said Rick Games, EHCIF president and COO. “There is an undeniable multiplier effect that is felt in our community when this happens. Many analysts agree that a single manufacturing job creates three service sector jobs in healthcare, retail, transportation, utilities, education and so many more.”
Over the last year, several of the area’s industries completed major expansions and growth milestones adding square footage and additional employees to their growing operations.
New to Elizabethtown, delivery services provider GossHall Systems LLC began building a headquarters facility in 2019. This new 10,000 sq. ft. office will create jobs and continue to provide delivery services to large corporate partners in the years to come.
SmartAsset recently ranked the greater Elizabethtown area as one of the top three Best Places to Work in Manufacturing. EHCIF is a critical player in promoting and elevating Hardin County as the top destination for advanced manufacturing, distribution and industrial companies across the nation.
“We’re constantly working to bring these types of opportunities to our community because we know there will be a widespread impact on our community’s vitality and well-being,” said Games. “We’re happy to celebrate these successes in October for Manufacturing Month and throughout the year.”
Hardin County is the birthplace of many globally recognized and innovative products made by local manufacturers, such as aerial devices for service trucks, automotive interior kinetic and decorative systems, silicone sealants and adhesives, automotive safety glass, truck and SUV frames, and much more.
The area is also home to countless small businesses, supplying top-of-the-line products and services in their respective industries. Inland Inc., the area’s manufacturer and distributor of silicone sealants, greases, compounds and custom repackaging, recently celebrated 40 years in business.
EHCIF’s “Made in Elizabethtown” feature continues to provide an opportunity to recognize these manufacturers and increase awareness of the products produced locally in the Elizabethtown-Hardin County region.
“One of the reasons our region has experienced such impressive growth is our talented, motivated and well-trained workforce,” said Games. “As employers expand their workforce, educators and training providers are rising to the challenge with innovative opportunities for students and adult workers to learn new skills and earn needed certifications.”
In 2019, partners in workforce development and education worked together to launch two programs at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC). Students are learning high-demand IT skills through the Greater Knox Coding Academy, and ECTC is now taking training directly to employers via its new Mobile Training Unit. With the acceptance of a $100,000 grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, ECTC will have the opportunity to enhance career and technical education programs with funding for a Mobile Learning Lab and scholarships for eligible students.
In light of these recent accomplishments and in partnership with the City of Elizabethtown, the EHCIF was recently awarded a Product Development Initiative grant of $500,000 by the state. The grant is being used to accelerate site development projects, improvements to stormwater detention basins and utility extensions at the T.J. Patterson Industrial Park.
“Elizabethtown and Hardin County remain positioned for investments in new business and job growth,” said Games. “This is truly a great time to live and work in Elizabethtown and Hardin County.”
To view the Hardin County Manufacturing Month Proclamation, please click here.
To view the Elizabethtown Manufacturing Month Proclamation, please click here.
