By Trisha Ostrowski

More Ice in Mississippi

Stamping company finds a home in rural Grenada

When Ice Industries announced last summer it was expanding operations in Grenada, Miss., very few people were surprised. After all, the company had already invested in five previous expansions to this facility in the five previous years.

 

This expansion brings Ice Industries’ presence in Grenada to 420,000 square feet. It also means 100 new jobs are being created, on top of the 400 who are already employed there. The $15 million that Ice Industries is investing in the plant includes the installation of two 3,000-ton Komatsu presses, providing the ability to supply more parts to the auto industry.

 

The plant now has the capability to do fabrication, welding and assembly for automotive, HVAC and appliance manufacturers. Their machinery can literally handle the heaviest materials used in the auto frame

market.

 

“After the last major automotive downturn, a great deal of capacity was taken out of the stamping market,” said Howard Ice, chairman and CEO. “While the automotive industry in particular has seen a strong rebound, most North American suppliers have been reluctant to add back any significant capacity.”

But Ice recognized the timing, and location, was right.

“We look forward to the opportunities this expansion provides our company to increase our capabilities and add value for our global customer base,” Howard Ice said. “This investment reflects Ice Industries’ continuing commitment to world-class manufacturing in Grenada, Miss.”

 

The Ohio-based company has plants in five locations across the U.S. and in Mexico, supplying parts to the auto, appliance, furniture, heavy truck and alternative energy markets. But its Grenada facility has now become the largest in the company’s system.

 

A community effort

The 80,000-square-foot plant is the first located in Grenada’s new Business and Technology Park North. The continued success of Ice Industries in Grenada has proven to be very much a team effort. Ice has found key partners in the Grenada Economic Development District, local government, and the Mississippi Development Authority.

 

Holmes Community College, with its state-of-the-art 50,000-square-foot industrial training center, has been a central piece in developing the area’s workforce. That workforce has been the centerpiece of Ice Industries’ growth in Grenada. Since the late 1970s, Grenada has consistently had a higher concentration of manufacturing jobs than the state average. Currently, more than 32 percent of all the jobs in this community are in the manufacturing sector, with a labor force of more than 52,000.

In addition to a skilled and experienced workforce, Grenada has clear location and transportation advantages — especially for companies that serve customers across the U.S., Mexico and South America. Located on I-55, Grenada is also within close proximity to larger cities like Memphis and Jackson, and the interstate system that connects them to the rest of the country. In addition, Grenada provides immediate and direct rail service, via Memphis, to any part of the U.S.

 

These assets have worked for Trulite Glass & Aluminum Solutions, the oldest continuously operating manufacturing facility in Grenada. In business there since 1947, the company has found Grenada a perfect location from which to become one of the country’s leading manufacturers of custom glass and aluminum products. Last year, Trulite announced an expansion that meant 15 more jobs for the local economy.

 

“Companies like Trulite are the backbone of our local economy,” said Grenada Economic Development District Executive Director Pablo Diaz. “Their commitment to the local community and their drive to continue to grow their capabilities are indicative of the viability of this area for manufacturing opportunities.”

 

Operation JumpStart is a nationally-recognized training program, offered at Holmes Community College, that prepares people to start or expand a small business. The curriculum teaches students small business planning and preparation skills via a “hands-on” model, which makes them better prepared to succeed in the business world.

 

The support to succeed

Beyond location and workforce, the attraction to this location has a lot to do with the substantial support of local and state economic developers. In the case of Ice Industries, that partnership has continued to reap benefits.

 

Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) contributed $1.35 million to relocate and install equipment, as part of its support for Ice Industries’ most recent expansion. In addition, MDA provided a $4 million no-interest loan to build a rail spur. Grenada County is adding $5 million in land, infrastructure development and site preparation. In fact, both the city and county governments have partnered with Ice Industries to develop new properties and accommodate manufacturing growth throughout the company’s years in Grenada.

 

The effective and cooperative work of local and state government and economic development have made all the difference for the growth of industry in this region. They have worked together to leverage grants, support training and develop infrastructure to support manufacturing.

 

“Mississippi has a strong and committed team of professionals at MDA that cater to the needs of every company, and that work as a team with local developers and governments,” said Diaz. “This cohesiveness has been key in supporting Ice and other industries when they need to expand quickly as market opportunities develop.”

 

With low cost of operations and accessibility, Grenada continues to prove an appealing option for manufacturing companies. In the past five years, more than ten existing industry expansion projects have been announced, creating more than 1,000 jobs and $45 million in private investment.

 

In recent years, the local government has invested in the development of the largest industrial park on I-55 — 1,200 acres adjacent to rail, interstate and a municipal airport.

 

A great place to be

More than a strategically located manufacturing hub, Grenada provides a high quality of life. Located among the hills of North Mississippi, the community is known for its outstanding golf courses. Grenada Lake, the largest in the state, attracts more than two million visitors annually.

 

In other words, it is a location that entices businesses and individuals who find it hard to leave. Which, in the case of Ice Industries, seems to suggest that five expansions in five years in Grenada is not the end of the story.