Kawasaki to create manufacturing plant at former Nordyne site in Boonville
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BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
Kawasaki will establish a manufacturing plant in Boonville.
Boonville and Cooper County officials made the announcement Wednesday afternoon at the former Nordyne site, which will be the home to Kawasaki's new plant. The Missouri Department of Economic Development said in a news release that the plant will create more than 270 jobs in Boonville.
Vice President of Kawasaki Mike Boyle said, "After doing a four-state search within a three-hour radius of Maryville where the company is currently assembled, Boonville did a great job with providing a labor analysis survey. Boyle said they were very confident that Boonville could provide the environment and workforce to let them expand operations.
Work on the plant will start this month, with production beginning in May 2022, the state says. The average wage at the plant will be above the Cooper County average, according to the economic development department. The county average in 2020 was $36,639.
A Kawasaki executive credited Boonville for its "hometown feel and strong work ethic" in the state's news release.
Kawasaki already has one plant in Missouri -- Maryville, in the northwest part of the state. The plant started operation in 1989 and now employees more than 600 people, according to Kawasaki's website.
Four major employers left the city between 2012 and 2015, taking more than 500 jobs with them, local officials said.
Boyle said the company plans to offer competitive rates for all employees starting at over 18 dollars an hour. Kawasaki will begin its interview process starting mid-November.
Director of Economic Development of Boonville, Gigi Quinlan MCareavy said, she doesn't know what it feels like to win a world series but gaining over 200 jobs in her city makes her feel pretty close to it.
