NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Schulte Building Systems Press Release

Release Date: 7/3/07
Contact: Todd Hull, (217) 342-5304
Kim Wiedman, (217) 342-5305

EFFINGHAM -- Property located north of Central Grade School along U.S. 45 will soon be the site of a new industrial project that will bring a minimum of 20 jobs to the area, according to an economic incentive agreement approved Tuesday night by the Effingham City Council.

The Council entered into an agreement with Schulte Building Systems that allows the company to purchase 12.38 acres of property in the southern business park from the City at a cost of $15,000 an acre. The company plans to construct a 67,988-square-foot facility at the location, with construction to begin prior to Sept. 1.

The industry, which is headquartered in Hockley, Texas, will be the first to locate in the new business park, which encompasses approximately 36 acres. The remaining two-thirds of the land continues to be owned by the City.

As part of the agreement, the City will construct infrastructure, including a roadway to access the site from U.S. 45, if awarded an Economic Development Program Grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Schulte Building Systems agreed to work with the City on the grant application requesting $118,904 for the project. If the City is awarded the grant, the City would then provide $103,904 in matching funds to cover the cost of the public infrastructure portion of the project.

Also, the City will reimburse the industry over a four-year period for a portion of the cost of a sprinkler system, with the total cost not to exceed $44,000, which will be funded using sales-tax funds generated from the industry.

Through the agreement, Schulte will employ a minimum of 20 jobs with an hourly wage of at least $14.50, with operations at the plant anticipated to be underway in the fall.

“Schulte Building Systems is a great company that continues to grow, and we are excited that Effingham was chosen as the location for its new facility,” said Todd Hull, Director of Economic Development for the City of Effingham.

Mayor John Lange agreed Schulte Building Systems will be an asset to the community, and the mayor looks forward to continuing the partnership between the industry and the City.

“I am pleased Schulte Building Systems has agreed to locate in Effingham,” said the mayor. “Through the partnership between this growing company and the City, we believe the benefits will be numerous for the company and for our community.

“It was a team effort,” added Lange. “I would like to compliment Economic Development Director Todd Hull, City Engineer Steve Miller, City Attorney Matt Hortenstine, and Economic Development Consultant Hank Stephens on a job well done.”

Lange also recognized Schulte as being the first industry to locate in the Industrial Park located in the south portion of the city.

“It is the first to select the south industrial park for its site, but as economic development efforts continue and as companies continue to locate in Effingham, we, at the City, are hopeful Schulte Building Systems will soon be joined by other manufacturing industries that will bring new jobs to the area.”

Schulte Building Systems, which has been operating for over 50 years, manufactures metal buildings and components. The company also has plants in Texas and Alabama.