Automotive Industry

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development was instrumental in securing a guaranteed $5 million loan from Citizens Commerce National Bank which will enable long-term financing to McKechnie Vehicle Components in Nicholasville, according to a news release. The loan was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist rural businesses in Kentucky. "The Recovery Act announced today (Oct. 26) will help businesses get access to the capital they need to launch and expand their businesses and help bring additional jobs to America's small cities and towns," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release.

�� � It's hard to know where to come down on the suggestion that the federal government now bail out the automotive industry. Its performance has been horrid. There has been little response to demands for vehicles that burn less fuel, though arguably there has been plenty of time to do so since the last financial crisis, since the last round of exorbitant fuel prices, since the Japanese proved they can not only compete, but they can compete even when we have a home-field advantage.

Dear Editor, Having spent 25 years in the automotive industry at the dealership level, I can, without hesitation, say let the Big Three die. They have lived long, enjoying a good life. They are now in the archives of history that once helped make The United States of America a great nation. For that, I praise and appreciate them. However, their time has now passed. They do not need a bailout. They do not need our help. Above all, they do not need our tax money. Let me reiterate: They do not need our tax money.

During the recent recession, some local industries have had to take several measures to cut costs and find ways to stay afloat until an upswing can come. Judy Diggins, owner of Custom Wiring in Nicholasville, said her company has had to go as far as making some cutbacks in its work force. "We've had to put some people on furlough here for a short time," she said. "We've cut back. We're watching everything closer. " Bill Meade, owner of Meade Concrete, said his company was forced to make some layoffs for the first time in its history.

Kentuckians in the market for a new vehicle can soon make a purchase with an added tax break after Gov. Steve Beshear signed House Bill 3 at Bill Collins Ford in Nicholasville last Friday. HB 3, which was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly during June's special session, will allow consumers to have their trade-in value deducted from the total consideration given in determine the new vehicle's retail price subject to motor vehicle usage tax. During the press conference, the governor said if a consumer purchased a new vehicle for $25,000 and their old vehicle had a trade-in value of $10,000, then the usage tax would only apply to $15,000, saving the person $600.

It's a fete that's going into Ford Motor Credit Company history books. Stuart Powell of Stuart Powell Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda was recognized Tuesday for nearly 50 years of service with Ford - longer than any other dealer in North America. Dozens of employees, public officials, longtime customers, friends and family were on hand Tuesday when Powell was recognized by Ford Credit Vice President of Sales Dale Jones with a one-of-a-kind trophy for his dedication to the company. Rep. Mike Harmon, R-Danville, also presented Powell with a framed tribute prepared especially for him and signed Gov. Steve Beshear.

The city of Crab Orchard filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Lincoln Circuit Court against ERJ Manufacturing, Inc., and five of the city's creditors. "We're just trying to get everybody in front of the court and go from there," said Paul Long, who is representing Crab Orchard in the case. "We brought it to try and resolve some difficulties with the city. " Long said the metal stamping plant operated by ERJ, which opened in Crab Orchard in 2004, has the city "obligated beyond anything they can ever afford.

CRAB ORCHARD - The city commission's ambitious revitalization plans have drawn the interest of a start-up company that is expected to bring 200 new jobs to a flatline economy. A new metal stamping plant, ERJ Manufacturing Inc. of Ky., is slated to be built on 57 acres east of Crab Orchard on U.S. 150. The land is partially in the city limits but the rest will be annexed by completion, said Mayor Mike Ramey. The 200,000 square foot plant will form sheet metal into parts for the automotive industry, appliances and electronics as well as weld and assemble the parts.

When Lincoln Manufacturing USA buys a new piece of equipment the entire town of Stanford knows about it. The two-tier automotive metal stamping facility uses hundred ton presses to manufacture its products, and there's only one way to get them to the building ? through the streets of Stanford. The 12-year-old manufacturer's most recent expansion involved the purchase of a 1,200-ton press and required two tractor-trailers connected back-to-back to deliver it to the facility. The press is the first one of its kind in the United States.

Rocked by large losses of manufacturing jobs over the last couple of years and a double-digit unemployment rate, Boyle County is getting a double shot of industrial growth in its economic arm. Two Danville industries - Dana Sealing Products Division (Victor Reinz) and one of its major suppliers, Hill Engineering - are in the midst of companion expansions that represent a total of nearly $2 million in investments in new facilities and equipment and already have produced more than 100 new jobs.

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development was instrumental in securing a guaranteed $5 million loan from Citizens Commerce National Bank which will enable long-term financing to McKechnie Vehicle Components in Nicholasville, according to a news release. The loan was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist rural businesses in Kentucky. "The Recovery Act announced today (Oct. 26) will help businesses get access to the capital they need to launch and expand their businesses and help bring additional jobs to America's small cities and towns," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release.

Kentuckians in the market for a new vehicle can soon make a purchase with an added tax break after Gov. Steve Beshear signed House Bill 3 at Bill Collins Ford in Nicholasville last Friday. HB 3, which was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly during June's special session, will allow consumers to have their trade-in value deducted from the total consideration given in determine the new vehicle's retail price subject to motor vehicle usage tax. During the press conference, the governor said if a consumer purchased a new vehicle for $25,000 and their old vehicle had a trade-in value of $10,000, then the usage tax would only apply to $15,000, saving the person $600.

It's a fete that's going into Ford Motor Credit Company history books. Stuart Powell of Stuart Powell Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda was recognized Tuesday for nearly 50 years of service with Ford - longer than any other dealer in North America. Dozens of employees, public officials, longtime customers, friends and family were on hand Tuesday when Powell was recognized by Ford Credit Vice President of Sales Dale Jones with a one-of-a-kind trophy for his dedication to the company. Rep. Mike Harmon, R-Danville, also presented Powell with a framed tribute prepared especially for him and signed Gov. Steve Beshear.

During the recent recession, some local industries have had to take several measures to cut costs and find ways to stay afloat until an upswing can come. Judy Diggins, owner of Custom Wiring in Nicholasville, said her company has had to go as far as making some cutbacks in its work force. "We've had to put some people on furlough here for a short time," she said. "We've cut back. We're watching everything closer. " Bill Meade, owner of Meade Concrete, said his company was forced to make some layoffs for the first time in its history.

Dear Editor, Having spent 25 years in the automotive industry at the dealership level, I can, without hesitation, say let the Big Three die. They have lived long, enjoying a good life. They are now in the archives of history that once helped make The United States of America a great nation. For that, I praise and appreciate them. However, their time has now passed. They do not need a bailout. They do not need our help. Above all, they do not need our tax money. Let me reiterate: They do not need our tax money.

�� � It's hard to know where to come down on the suggestion that the federal government now bail out the automotive industry. Its performance has been horrid. There has been little response to demands for vehicles that burn less fuel, though arguably there has been plenty of time to do so since the last financial crisis, since the last round of exorbitant fuel prices, since the Japanese proved they can not only compete, but they can compete even when we have a home-field advantage.

When Lincoln Manufacturing USA buys a new piece of equipment the entire town of Stanford knows about it. The two-tier automotive metal stamping facility uses hundred ton presses to manufacture its products, and there's only one way to get them to the building ? through the streets of Stanford. The 12-year-old manufacturer's most recent expansion involved the purchase of a 1,200-ton press and required two tractor-trailers connected back-to-back to deliver it to the facility. The press is the first one of its kind in the United States.

The city of Crab Orchard filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Lincoln Circuit Court against ERJ Manufacturing, Inc., and five of the city's creditors. "We're just trying to get everybody in front of the court and go from there," said Paul Long, who is representing Crab Orchard in the case. "We brought it to try and resolve some difficulties with the city. " Long said the metal stamping plant operated by ERJ, which opened in Crab Orchard in 2004, has the city "obligated beyond anything they can ever afford.

CRAB ORCHARD - The city commission's ambitious revitalization plans have drawn the interest of a start-up company that is expected to bring 200 new jobs to a flatline economy. A new metal stamping plant, ERJ Manufacturing Inc. of Ky., is slated to be built on 57 acres east of Crab Orchard on U.S. 150. The land is partially in the city limits but the rest will be annexed by completion, said Mayor Mike Ramey. The 200,000 square foot plant will form sheet metal into parts for the automotive industry, appliances and electronics as well as weld and assemble the parts.

Rocked by large losses of manufacturing jobs over the last couple of years and a double-digit unemployment rate, Boyle County is getting a double shot of industrial growth in its economic arm. Two Danville industries - Dana Sealing Products Division (Victor Reinz) and one of its major suppliers, Hill Engineering - are in the midst of companion expansions that represent a total of nearly $2 million in investments in new facilities and equipment and already have produced more than 100 new jobs.