(The Center Square) – Kohler is officially added to Arizona’s manufacturing facility roster.
The kitchen and bath company opened its facility in Casa Grande with roughly 400 jobs expected to be created as a result, according to a news release from the Arizona Commerce Authority on Wednesday.
The release added that Kohler is in federal “award negotiations” with the Department of Energy that could be up to $51.2 million with it being “matched” by the company for a “commercial scale decarbonization solution.”
“We welcome our new associates to Kohler Co. and look forward to being an active participant in the greater Casa Grande community, contributing to its growing economy and quality of life, providing good-paying jobs and benefits, and offering opportunities for career development and advancement,” Norbert Schmidt, President-Kitchen & Bath North America for Kohler, said in a statement.
Specifically, the facility focuses on “bath and shower fixtures.”
Casa Grande, which is roughly 50 miles south of downtown Phoenix, has become a hub for manufacturing facilities in the state. Companies like FrameTec, Lucid Motors, and Chang Chun have invested in the area. The Phoenix Metropolitan area has been considered the best nationwide for “manufacturing growth” since 2020, according to a Newmark report. Notably, the state has seen a lot of private and public investments in the semiconductor industry.
As for Kohler itself, the opening is being touted as a win for central Arizona.
“Kohler’s new facility is a significant win for Casa Grande and Arizona,” Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the ACA, said in a statement. “Kohler’s sustainable manufacturing facility showcases Arizona’s attractiveness as a premier global destination for advanced manufacturing. We’re grateful an iconic company like Kohler is investing in our state while creating hundreds of skilled jobs in rural Arizona.”
The ACA told The Center Square that Kohler could also qualify for a tax credit in the estimated amount of $9.42 million “based on the project parameters discussed” so far.
“All ACA financial programs are performance-based. Kohler would be eligible to apply for tax credits under Arizona’s qualified facilities tax credit program,” the ACA stated. “The final amount of any tax credit would be dependent on the specific job creation and investment outcomes.”
