Saint-Gobain Beaverton expansion.

Saint-Gobain Beaverton expansion.

For original article visit Midland Daily News

beaverton.jpg

It's unknown exactly how much revenue the $25 million Beaverton Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics expansion will add, but Beaverton City Manager Heath Kaplan said it will provide one heck of a punch to the economy. The plastics manufacturer broke ground on its expansion last month and expects to have the structure completed in December 2019.

"We can't give an exact amount," Kaplan said. "We are still calculating it."

However, Kaplan said the city waivers between $18 and $19 million in taxable value annually. Saint-Gobain has put in for a $17.1 million industrial fiscal tax exemption.

"We are doubling the city's taxable value with one expansion," Kaplan said.

Saint-Gobain receives a six-year 50 percent abatement on personal property, which is estimated at $10 million and includes equipment. It also receives a 12-year 50 percent tax abatement on real property.

"This is going to have a huge, huge impact," Kaplan said, even with the abatements.

However, when the abatements expire, it will add even more of a shot in the arm for the city.

Saint-Gobain is the city's largest employer and the expansion will further increase the number of jobs.

According to company officials, the manufacturer foresees hiring 60 new employees, adding to the current workforce of about 200. Beaverton Mayor Ray Nau said the company has a reputation for hiring more than they first project and city officials are hoping that is true this time around.

The expansion at 3901 Terry Diane St. will add an additional 74,000 square feet for manufacturing space to its existing 61,250 square-foot business. It also proposed adding 13,500 square feet for office space. The expansion will increase development and manufacture capacity for single use systems, the components and assemblies used in the manufacturing of life-saving drugs and vaccines.

The plastics company purchased several acres of private property adjacent to the existing complex, some which needed to be annexed into the city from Tobacco Township and consumed an additional five acres in the industrial park.

Beaverton city officials recently received a $1.6 million grant to enhance the infrastructure to accommodate the manufacturer's expansion.

To learn more about career opportunities at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics' Beaverton location, visit: https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/careers and type "Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics" into the keyword search bar.