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Burlington Lands New Industry

www.silgancontainers.com

The Greater Burlington Partnership (GBP) announced Monday morning that Silgan Containers has reached a deal to build its new manufacturing plant in the city, creating more than 100 jobs.  The California-based company is the largest provider of metal food packaging in the United States with facilities across the country, including one in Fort Madison.
Jason Hutcheson, President/CEO of the GBP, said this is a huge announcement for the city and the entire region.

"Economic development projects of this magnitude don't come around very often," said Hutcheson, "Silgan will be a great corporate citizen and we are excited to have them join our community.”

Silgan is expected to build a 412,000 square foot facility on about 35-acres of land in the Flint Ridge Business Park.  The facility will have up to 120 employees, with starting pay of nearly $15.00/hour for most of those jobs.

Thomas Snyder, President of Silgan Containers, said in a news release that his company is pleased to be locating its new facility in Burlington.

"Governor (Terry) Branstad and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) were instrumental in our considering locations in Iowa.  The professionalism of the Greater Burlington Partnership, Mayor (Shane) McCampbell, and the city's development department were key factors in our decision."

The announcement comes just a few days after the IEDA awarded the company $550,000 in direct financial assistance along with several million dollars in tax incentives.

The city already agreed to waive property taxes on the building for 20 years, waive certain permit fees, and to improve several streets near the plant.

Silgan is expected to spend about $100 million on equipment and $25 million on construction of the new facility.

The Greater Burlington Partnership said construction should get underway this spring.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.