(July 5, 2007) Franklin, Kentucky.  [From the Franklin Favorite]

Vermont Thread Gage is busting at the seams and will build a new plant next to its current manufacturing facility in the Wilkey North Industrial Park, according to Monica Greene, president of the Swanton, Vermont-based company.

Greene said Vermont Gage will construct a new 32,000-square-foot building on 10 acres in the new 143-acre portion of the industrial park.

“We have completely outgrown our 11,000-square-foot facility that we built in Franklin in 2001. We need a lot more acres to grow our company,” Greene said. “We are very pleased with our success in Franklin and expect to add as many as 50 jobs over the next few years to our current workforce of 75 employees.

Construction is projected to get under way in August and be completed by the second quarter of 2008. Reasonover Drive will be extended 600 feet in order to accommodate the new plant. No plans have been made by Vermont Thread Gage in regards to its current facility.

Vermont Thread Gage purchased the 10-acre tract from the F-S Industrial Authority. Gary Broady, the new chairman of the Industrial Authority, said the bigger plant launches phase two of the Wilkey North Industrial Park, which is located on U.S. 31-W north.

John Gehret – Vermont Thread Gage vice president and general manager of the Franklin plant – thanked the Industrial Authority, Franklin City Commission, Simpson Fiscal Court and Kentucky Economic Development Authority “for helping us grow our company.” He also praised the employees and community.

“We have been blessed to have dependable, hardworking employees these past six years, and our company has really grown in Franklin because of everyone’s cooperation,” Gehret said.

Expansions are just as important as attracting new business.

"Business expansion by Kentucky companies is key to the state's economic success," Existing Kentucky Business Commissioner George Burgess said. "The Cabinet is delighted to partner with Vermont Gage as they create additional job opportunities for the citizens of Simpson County."

Local officials were also pleased over the announcement.

“This is certainly tremendous news for our community,” Mayor Jim Brown said. “I remember when Vermont Gage started in business with just a handful of employees, and now they are quickly becoming one of our premier industries.”

“Vermont Gage will be offering some outstanding job opportunities in the near future for our area,” Simpson County Judge/Executive Jim Henderson said.