Create a free Manufacturing.net account to continue

Siemens Bringing Nearly 300 Jobs To Iowa

Siemens Power Generation plans to expand its production of wind turbine blades creating 287 'green-collar' jobs in southeastern Iowa.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Siemens Power Generation Inc. plans to expand its production of wind turbine blades creating 287 ''green-collar'' jobs in southeastern Iowa, company officials said Monday.
 
Gov. Chet Culver joined officials from the city of Fort Madison and from the company in announcing the plan, which hinges on whether Siemens Power Generation can finalize an incentives deal with the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Those incentives include a $1.4 million forgivable loan and an estimated $4.6 million in tax credits, state officials said.
 
If all goes well, the company plans to spend about $33 million on the project. It would expand a current facility by 75,000 square feet, build a new 125,000-square-foot facility and construct a rail yard to help with production. Siemens officials said construction could be completed as soon as October.
 
The new jobs created through the project are expected to pay an average of $17.14 per hour.
 
Culver said Iowa continues to build its reputation as a renewable energy leader.
 
''Our leadership in wind continues to energize Iowa's economy by creating high-quality, green-collar careers,'' he said.
 
Siemens has manufacturing facilities around the world. The Fort Madison factory, which opened last year and currently employs 246 people, is the company's only manufacturing facility of wind turbine blades in the United States.
 
''In less than a year since opening, we are already expanding our facility to increase our ability to competitively serve the growing North American market,'' said Randy Zwirn, head of Siemens Energy Americas.
More in Operations