Wind Tower Manufacturing Project to Create Jobs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A wind tower manufacturing facility will be built in Cheyenne, in a joint venture by Spanish industrial holding company Gestamp Renewables and Columbus, Ohio-based Worthington Energy Group, a subsidiary of Worthington Industries, Inc., Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead announced on Tuesday.

 

The facility will total 160,000 square feet, and will be built on 30 acres of land in the Cheyenne Logistics Hub at Swan Ranch, according to a statement from the governor’s office. The project is expected to create jobs for at least 150 local employees, and will cost about $40 million for the facility, land improvements and equipment.

 

The two companies considered several states to build the facility, and was aided by the Wyoming Business Council in choosing the location.

 

“I want to express my gratitude to the Business Council and Cheyenne LEADS for their work. I am also glad to welcome Gestamp Worthington to Wyoming,” the governor said. “We are certainly pleased to see this added level of economic benefit from the use of our nationally recognized wind resource.”

 

The company expects to manufacture more than 300 wind towers per year, for use primarily in Wyoming wind farms. The tower sections will be used with 2 to 3 MW turbines, the statement said.

 

Company officials said they selected Wyoming because of its pro-business climate and strong fiscal standing.

 

“We looked at several locations and considered all of the aspects of logistics, business costs, workforce and regional market projections. Wyoming was at the top of the list,” said Ralph Roberts, president of the Worthington Global Group. “In addition, we saw in Wyoming what we considered to be a very good alignment with our company’s strong work ethic, culture and philosophy, grounded in the Golden Rule. Gestamp Worthington and Wyoming will be a very good fit for each other.”

 

Construction is slated to begin in the spring. The companies expect to begin shipments of 80-100 foot long tower sections for wind turbines in the first quarter of calendar year 2012, according to the statement.

 

“We’re very pleased that Gestamp Renewables and the Worthington Energy Group have decided to locate this facility here and bring these new jobs to the region,” Bob Jensen, the CEO of the Business Council said. “This adds to Wyoming’s reputation for having the right business climate and transportation infrastructure for this type of manufacturing.”