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Limited industrial growth concerns builders

April 18, 2005|HERB BROCK

(Page 2 of 2)

"There's been no more investment in growth for my business here, not even an effort. I have had no option but to push my efforts in other counties where there is growth.

"Here (in Danville), I believe downtown, the commercial sector and other sectors of our economy are finally realizing what the home construction industry has been facing, and that is we're being impacted by what appears to be a cold shoulder that has been given to new industry."

Danville on verge of a rebound

The leader of the local effort to attract new industry believes Danville, once a model for industrial planning and growth, is on the verge of a rebound - one that will help boost home construction.

"We have been working very hard to attract new industry for the last several years, and that work is now yielding results," said Joe Gibson, head of the Boyle County Industrial Foundation.

One of the results is the recent announcement that 3B S.p.A., an Italian furniture manufacturer, will invest $17 million in a plant in Boyle County that will employ 100 people, Gibson said.

Another result, he said, is landing Aircraft Braking Systems, which is expected to employ 46 people.

"We're also aware that substantial expansions are in the works for two existing distribution centers in our industrial park," said Gibson. "Announcements of those expansions are due any time."

Gibson said there has been a sluggish manufacturing economy for several years all over the country.

"Builders need to understand the changing economy, the big shift that has been taking place in recent years away from the old manufacturing economy," Gibson said. "We are trying to plug into the new industrial economy, and we're shifting our recruiting emphasis toward the more specialized manufacturers, the high-tech firms, the other industries that make up this new economy.

"No, there is not a 'Closed for business' sign. No, we haven't been giving any industry, at least no one that meets our criteria of being a clean, safe industry, a cold shoulder," he said.

"We have a welcome new industry sign, and companies are responding to that sign. The picture is getting brighter now and will get even brighter in the future, for new industries, for the folks who build the homes for the people working at them, for all sectors of our economy."

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