The Iowa Department of Economic Development OK'd a $500,000 forgivable loan to the firm for the expansions.
December 23, 2006
Pella Corp., the Pella-based maker of windows and doors, is adding 200 jobs to its Iowa operations, increasing its payroll in the state to about 6,100.
The company's factory at Story City will add 100 jobs, and another 100 positions will be created at a plant in Carroll, said Kathy Harkema, a Pella spokeswoman.
Pella created 470 jobs in Iowa in 2005. Demand for Pella windows and doors continues to grow, driven by new home construction and remodeling. Consumers are replacing old windows and doors with new products that are more energy efficient and require lower maintenance, Harkema said.
Pella's total work force, including factories in other states, is 9,000, up from 6,800 in 2002.
Because of growing demand for vinyl windows, Story City will begin making a Pella vinyl window line known as ThermaStar by Pella, Harkema said. The Story City factory now employs 300 workers.
The manufacture of wood windows now made in Story City will be transferred to Carroll, which already makes wood windows. The major Carroll products are Pella ProLine windows and patio doors.
The Iowa Department of Economic Development awarded a $500,000 forgivable loan to Pella this week to help with the project.
The new jobs will pay an average wage of $14.02 an hour, the department said, adding that expanded production at the factories will help accommodate Pella sales growth in the Midwest.
IDED approved incentives for 16 other projects this week, including:
- One by Aga Foodservice Group of Britain, which bought the Amana commercial microwave line from Whirlpool Corp. and will employ 112 people in Cedar Rapids. That total includes 58 new jobs at an average wage of $30.26.
- Ethanol plants in Arthur, Atlantic, Grand Junction, Shell Rock and West Burlington.
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