SFI Arkansas of Conway announced Thursday plans to expand its facility and hire up to 75 new employees over the next 18 months.
“Our reinvestment into our Conway facility is very intentional,” said Jim McGill, vice president and business unit manager of the manufacturing company, in a news release. “Our employees work hard every day to assure we stay globally competitive. They deserve to have the best tools and technology to maintain that competitiveness.”
McGill said the expansion is the result of continued manufacturing growth in the South and the increased presence of steel manufacturing in Arkansas.
He added that the new investments and positions would represent a move towards increased mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills. The average wages for the new positions could approach $25 per hour, and hiring will begin in early 2020.
State Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said in the release, “This is a testament to how a skilled advanced manufacturing workforce influences decision-makers when it comes to locating, moving or expanding. SFI employees and their families, their clients and Arkansas as a whole will benefit from this smart business decision for years to come.”
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is providing the following incentives for the project over the next three years:
- Create Rebate, an annual cash rebate based on the number of jobs added by a company.
- Tax Back, which provides sales tax refunds on building materials, taxable machinery and equipment associated with the project.
SFI Arkansas has been located in Conway for more than 40 years and has approximately 70 employees. It develops, supplies and services medium to heavy gauge components and value-added services for a select group of original equipment manufacturers in the agricultural, construction, industrial, transportation and defense industries.
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