Ground was broken Wednesday on a $15-million expansion of Intermountain Electronics in the Centralia Industrial Park.
Plant Manager Tim Benedict says the expansion will mean additional jobs at the plant that primarily makes backup power for AI facilities.
“The expansion will be 108,000 square feet. I added another 30 people this year and will add 60 in total over the next three years. Of course, we’re hoping for more than that, but that’s what we planned for right now.
Benedict expects the expansion to be completed by April of next year. Intermountain Electronics first opened a facility in Centralia 15 years ago, with just 12 employees. In three years, the facility is expected to have 250 employees.
The Deputy Director of Regional at the Department of Commerce and Economic Development Allison Grady says they are excited to see the expansion. The state will be helping through the issuance of tax credits.
“DCEO’s role is to help support with that expansion,” Grady said. “They are part of our Reimagining Energy and Vehicles incentive program as part of this. We’re also here to help them continue to grow and expand on workforce options and really make the large contribution that they’re making here in Centralia.
Governor Pritzker was not in attendance but noted in a news release that the company’s expansion will advance clean energy production, create new jobs and support Southern Illinois communities. He notes in Centralia and communities across the state, investments like these are driving innovation forward and delivering new opportunities for our world class workforce.
Centralia City Manager Galen Mahle is pleased with the positive economic development news.
“For so many years, that industry has decreased in Centralia, but we’re seeing this business grow by leaps and bounds and continue to pour money into our community and create jobs,” Mahle said. “These are the types of industries that we want to continue to try and attract. We think that the story and the facts behind what Intermountain Electronics is doing for us not only are great by them and for us, but are going to tell the story to other industries that we are ripe for growth and that we want it here in Centralia.”
In a statement, the CEO of Intermountain Electronics Bobby Houston noted this investment reinforces their commitment to Centralia and to manufacturing in the United States. He says our people, our partners and this community have been central to their success and are proud to continue building the future of energy and power distribution right here in Illinois.
Intermountain Electronics was founded in 1985 as a small equipment repair company and originally came to Centralia to support the coal mining industry.
Plant Manager Tim Benedict talks about the Intermountain Electronics expansion. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
