A fencing company is moving into central Delaware to replace some lost manufacturing jobs.
The recently shuttered PPG paint plant in Dover was bought by Utah-based National Vinyl Products – a manufacturer of vinyl fencing and rails.
The company’s operations at the site mean about 80 new equipment operator and maintenance jobs are coming. It’s also leasing out part of the 173,000 square foot site to the Maryland-based logistics company USA Fulfillment Services adding another 30 to 40 warehouse jobs there.
The new positions are expected to replace most of the roughly 140 jobs lost with the closing of the paint plant. Kent County Economic Partnership Executive Director Linda Parkowski applauds the return of manufacturing jobs in the area.
“Kent County is known for being a manufacturing hub. We have Proctor and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, Edgewell,” said Parkowski. “So this company fits nicely into our manufacturing ecosystem”
National Vinyl Products bought the site for $4.25 million and has invested a total of $17.2 million, according to the partnership.
And Parkowski says the region offers more potential sites for manufacturing companies that want to move in.
“I think Kent County is poised for more small to medium manufacturing firms to come in and take a good look at us,”’ she said.
The company is receiving a $75,000 grant and 10-year tax abatement from Kent County Levy Court, and The Council on Development Finance is recommending a bond of up to $10 million and just under $269,000 in performance-based grants from the state.
The site is expected to be up and running early next year.