FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Contact: Marty Homan, Commissioners, 614/525-5273
Tyler Lowry, Commissioners, 614/525-6630
This morning, the
Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a grant from its People Works Program
to Engineered Profiles, LLC. The $142,500 agreement will pay for a portion of
the training costs associated with hiring 114 new employees over three years to
support the company’s growth on the South Side of Columbus. In line with the
People Works program model, Engineered Profiles will train and hire county social
service clients into living wage jobs.
“This People Works agreement
is a win for everyone involved,” said Franklin County Commission President John
O’Grady. “Engineered Profiles will get the employees they need as they continue
to grow, and 114 of our residents currently on public assistance will receive
training and a sustainable, living wage job that we hope leads to a successful
career.”
Engineered Profiles,
formerly Crane Plastics, has been providing leading-edge plastic extrusion
solutions to a wide array of industries for more than 65 years. This People
Works grant will support the expansion of its operations at 2141 Fairwood
Avenue on Columbus’ South Side, adding more than $3 million in new payroll, and
a capital investment of approximately $250,000.
“We know that there are
many good people out there today that simply need to find the right situation
where a structure is in place to help them succeed,” said Mike Davis, President
of Engineered Profiles, LLC. “We are confident that when implemented, the new
employee training grant will help us to grow the company, which will in turn create
additional jobs, as well as higher paying positions in Franklin County.”
“People Works is about
jobs and the people that need them,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “This innovative
program is an investment in people and we wish those that will be hired the
best of luck in their future careers, and thank Engineered Profiles for growing
on the South Side.”
Additionally, as part of
this agreement, the Columbus Urban League will provide wrap-around services,
such as soft skill training and life coaching to include financial literacy and
workplace communication.
“We continue to be excited about the commitment that the
Commissioners show as they invest in individuals transitioning out of poverty
and into the world of work,” said Toni Cunningham, Vice President and Chief of
Program Performance and Innovation at the Columbus Urban League. “The Columbus
Urban League is committed to supporting this partnership by offering supports
for those “non-work-related” issues that might keep an individual from being
successful at work. Through our wrap around services, we are able to fortify
the training and development efforts of the employer with the expectation that
new employees will make it successfully through their first 90 days and beyond.”
"Our People Works
Program aims to do just that – put people to work,” said Commissioner Marilyn
Brown. “If you are an employer and you have a need for trained employees, we’d
love to partner with you to help you find and train the employees that you are
looking for. Thanks to Engineered Profiles and the Urban League for partnering
with us to provide a pathway out of poverty for 114 of our residents and their
families.”
Employers looking for
help to train new and existing employees can visit franklincountyohio.gov/PeopleWorks for more information or call 614-525-7304.
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