SOMERSET, Ky. — Chism Machine and Gage Inc., doing business as Chism Automation, will expand its operation in Somerset with an $800,000 investment, creating 10 full-time Kentucky jobs.
The investment will allow leaders at Chism Automation to double the size of their current facility’s machine build area to 16,000 square feet. The increased space will help accommodate new equipment and growing business. The project will also include a massive increase in power supply, moving from a 480-volt, 3-phase, 400-amp service to a 2,000-amp service. This electrical increase will allow the operation to power multiple assembly lines filled with robots, motors and other automated machinery that require high power consumption. Chism Automation will add 10 full-time jobs through the investment, including engineering, technician and materials positions.
“We partner with our customers to provide a level of support that our competitors can’t or won’t provide and we do it quickly when needed,” said Kyle Chism, founder and president of Chism Automation. “We compete with Japanese, German and out-of-state automation groups that are great technically but can’t provide our level of local support. Customers who once came to us with one- and two-robot-sized projects ask for assembly lines with five to 10 robots. We have managed a few of these projects with current resources but need more space, electrical power and staff to facilitate growth.”
Founded in October 2007, Chism Automation builds robotic applications and automated machinery for manufacturers, including the automotive industry. Chism Automation partners with world-class robot, vision and industrial component manufacturers, integrating cutting-edge technology and design processes to develop consistent, high-quality results. The company expanded to its current facility in Somerset in 2015 and has built over 100 automated applications and robotic projects since then.
Chism Automation’s investment and job creation build on recent economic momentum in the commonwealth.
To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $200,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $800,000 and annual targets of:
- Creation and maintenance of 10 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
- Paying an average hourly wage of $36.10, including benefits across those jobs.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, Chism Automation can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
