$3.5 Million Factory Project

August 11, 2004 STJAMES0811

ST. JAMES, MINN. -- A St. James manufacturer plans to add 40 jobs and build a $3.5 million warehouse next to its plant. The Westin Automotive Inc. project is the largest manufacturing plant expansion in St. James since Keith Muetzel took over as city manager about eight years ago.

"It's been many, many years since we've had an announcement of this kind about manufacturing," he said.

Betsy Carsten, the city's economic development director, and the company have been working on the project's details for about two months.

Muetzel credits JOBZ, a state tax incentive program for businesses that create new jobs, for bringing the expansion to St. James, in southern Minnesota about 35 miles southwest of Mankato.

Westin makes accessories -- including grill guards, step bars and luggage carriers -- for several types of sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

The plant in St. James is one of three that Westin operates in the United States. The other two are in California.

Associated Press

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