Stud welding company Image Industries is locating operations in Clarksdale. The project is a $3-million corporate investment and will create 50 jobs over the next four years.
“Skilled trade jobs are the backbone of our nation’s economy, as millions of workers produce top-quality products every day that keep industries across the country thriving in today’s global marketplace,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “Mississippi is a strong manufacturing state, and I know Image Industries’ 50 new employees also will work hard to ensure the company remains competitive and achieves long-term success at its new location in the Delta.”
Image Industries is relocating cold forming manufacturing operations from Illinois to the former Metso facility in Clarksdale. There, the cold forming process will enable the company to economically produce hundreds of custom parts per minute, such as threaded weld studs, shear connectors and concrete anchors, hydraulic weld ports and cable management studs, even at relatively low volumes.
“Image Industries is excited to be relocating to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Not only are the city of Clarksdale, the Mississippi Development Authority and the state providing a business-friendly environment where Image Industries can grow and prosper, but the community as a whole has been very welcoming. To a person, everyone has greeted us with open arms,” said Image Industries Co-owner Blake Hobson. “The local community college and workforce development team have jumped into action to develop the specialized cold forming job training programs that Image Industries requires. This ensures Image Industries will have the proper skilled workforce when our operations begin. All these factors have given my sister and co-owner Stacia and me the confidence to relocate Image Industries to Clarksdale.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for equipment relocation and building improvements, as well as a loan to the county for the purchase of the building and building improvements. The company also qualifies for the Growth and Prosperity program, which offers an exemption on all state income and franchise taxes related to the new location and an exemption on all equipment and machinery purchased for the initial building renovations.
“By locating in Clarksdale, Image Industries joins the ranks of leading manufacturers that have shaped the industry in Mississippi to be one of the strongest in the country, creating a highly skilled workforce dedicated to ensuring companies achieve their goals in our state,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “We salute the teams at the Clarksdale-Coahoma Chamber of Commerce and Delta Strong for working together with MDA to bring Image Industries’ investment, to our state, creating 50 exciting new career opportunities in the Mississippi Delta.”
Image Industries expects to begin operations in Clarksdale the fall of 2019.
Governor Phil Bryant Press Release
7/10/2019
