Harman Becker Automotive Systems was named Industry of the Year at the annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon held last Thursday at the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center.

The award was presented to Harman Becker by George Burgess, commissioner of the Department for Existing Business Development.

Burgess singled out Franklin for its business-friendly attitude and cooperation of government officials. “The Economic Development Cabinet considers Franklin and Simpson County as a great partner,” he said.

Burgess said the technical college under construction in the Sanders East Industrial Park will be key to retaining and attracting industry. “There is no more important of a partner in economic development than education.”

The Franklin technical college is scheduled to open in March 2008.

A soldout crowd of over 300 came together last Thursday to celebrate the continue success of economic development. Industrial Authority Chairman Gary Broady said that despite Simpson County’s small geographic size, it ranks 14th out of the 120 counties in Kentucky in terms of industrial jobs.

“Over 40 percent of workforce is employed by industries which is more than twice the national average,” he said.

Broady added that Simpson County’s unemployment rate is around 5 percent, its civilian labor force has grown to 9,000, and its industrial jobs have grown from 2,700 to 3,905 in only nine years.

One of the presenters and a member of the F-S Industrial Board, state Rep. Rob Wilkey, said industrial recruiter Dennis Griffin is on fire.

“Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire,” Wilkey said.

Another presenter, Mayor Jim Brown, awarded plaques to “friends” of the F-S Industrial Authority – Miller Slaughter of the state Cabinet for Economic Development and outgoing Chamber of Commerce President Kelly Banton.

Several other new and current Simpson County industries and businesses were recognized during the luncheon for their accomplishments during 2007 including New Mather Metals, Vermont Gage, Blu Pharmaceuticals, Old Kentucky Leathers, Charles Deweese Construction Company, Lowe’s Home Improvement Store, Zaxby’s and Arby’s restaurants, Fastenal and Huish Detergents.

Here is some information on the 2007 accomplishments about each of the industries/businesses that were recognized at the luncheon:

•New Mather Metals expanded their facility in the Sanders East Industrial Park for the third time since it opened. The latest $9.5 million expansion created some 30 new jobs, bringing the company’s employment to more than 300. New Mather Metals makes stabilizer bars for the automotive industry.

•Vermont Gage is constructing a new 32,000-square-foot facility in the Wilkey North Industrial Park that will add 50 jobs to its current workforce of 75 people. The company started with only five employees in an 11,000-square-foot facility seven years ago.

•Blu Pharmaceuticals located a distribution center in a portion of the former Tyco Electronics Building on Ky. 1008. Blu Pharmaceuticals – a generic pharmaceutical company which distributes medicines to major wholesalers, group purchasing organizations and government agencies – is expected to have more than 40 employees in Franklin in the next few years.

•Old Kentucky Leathers, which has been in Franklin for 17 years, began a remodeling and expansion project at its facility on West Madison Street. The expansion will allow the company to hire an additional 10 employees at its leather re-tanning and coloring plant. Combined with its parent company, Auburn Leather, the corporation is one of the leading lace leather suppliers to footwear manufacturers in the world.

•Charles Deweese Construction Company, which specializes in road and utility construction, located its Kentucky-Tennessee Corporate headquarters in the former Que-Net Building located in front of Quebecor World Printing on Ky. 1008. The Kentucky-Tennessee division has more than 100 employees.

•Lowe’s Home Improvement Store completed its 140,000-square-foot facility on U.S. 31-W South. It has some 120 employees and is expected to do more than $20 million in annual sales.

•Zaxby’s began work on a restaurant in the Lowe’s Development Center. The restaurant, which is being opened by Franklin resident Mike Harris and his son Justin, represents a $1.5 million investment and is expected to employ 40 people.

•Arby’s began construction of a restaurant on U.S. 31-W north next to McDonald’s. The restaurant is a $1.2 million investment and is also expected to employ 40 people.

•Fastenal, the largest fastener distributor in the United States, announced plans to construct a facility at the corner of Ky. 1008 and Brown Printing Road. It will offer a variety of fasteners, nuts, bolts, screws, socket products, washers and other similar items to area industry as well as the general public. Franklin resident Jeremy Poston was hired as the general manager.

•Huish Detergents Inc. announced plans to locate a distribution center in a 200,000-square-foot spec building in the Sanders East Industrial Park. The facility will create 25 new jobs with an annual payroll of more than $1 million. The warehouse will operate five days a week on two shifts and will ship some 25 truckloads of product per day. The distribution center will be dedicated to White Rain products, such as shampoo, conditioners and hair spray.