On the Edges

Ava

Copeland Corp. to enlarge building

With the help of state grants, loans and tax credits, Copeland Corporation will nearly double the size of its Ava plant and add at least 280 jobs in the next year.

The company, which is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric Company, manufactures scroll components for compressors in commercial and residential air conditioners and has seven plants in the United States and around the world.

With the expansion, Copeland Corporation's Ava work force will number nearly 500.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the 75,000-square-foot addition were held May 25 and construction began immediately, according to a release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The company expects the expanded production line to be operational by February 2000.

"The state strives hard to assist existing companies remain and expand in Missouri," said Joseph L. Driskill, director of the Department of Economic Development. "We also support efforts to enhance the skills of our work force and to increase employment, as Copeland has committed to do in the city of Ava."

The expansion will allow for production to increase from 800,000 components per year to 2.5 million per year.

"We are pleased to announce this major expansion at Copeland's only dedicated scroll-element machining center, after only two years of operation," said Eric C. Evans, Copeland Air Conditioning division president, in a news release from the company. The plant manager is Fred Ernst and Mike Luna is materials manager.

The state Department of Economic Development and the city of Ava formed a partnership to attract the expansion project through various incentive programs for which Copeland was eligible. The package includes and interim financing loan, development and business facility tax credits, an industrial infrastructure grant and funds from several work force development programs.

Four Seasons Realty under new ownership

Cheryl Ramos has acquired Four Seasons Realty, Joplin, which she opened in 1996 with three partners and two agents.

The company has grown to 24 licensed Realtors.

Chamber events scheduled this month

The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors will participate in the following members' grand openings and ribbon cuttings: Executive Communications, 5:30 p.m. June 3 at 407 S. Main St.[[In-content Ad]]