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Master Machine proposes expansion in Chattanooga; county asked to approve performance-based grant
Summary
Master Machine proposed consolidating and expanding operations into a 79,000-square-foot Chattanooga facility, planning 45 new jobs by Dec. 31, 2029 and roughly $10.2 million in capital investment; the company seeks a performance-based high growth jobs grant administered by the city IDB that would share costs with Hamilton County.
Hamilton County commissioners heard a presentation from the Chattanooga Chamber and Master Machine about a proposed expansion and a request for a high growth jobs and investment program grant administered by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the City of Chattanooga.
Adam Myers, vice president of economic development at the Chattanooga Chamber, said Master Machine LLC — in operation in Chattanooga since 1993 and currently employing about 72 people in several local facilities — plans to consolidate operations into roughly 79,000 square feet at 200 Compress Street and to invest about $7.7 million in real property improvements and about $2.5 million in personal property, for roughly $10.2 million in capital investment.
Myers said Master Machine proposes to create 45 new jobs by Dec. 31, 2029, at an average annual wage of $72,330, producing an estimated new annual payroll of about $3.2 million at full ramp-up. The Chamber described the company as serving nuclear-related industries and federal customers, including the Department of Energy and naval nuclear work through the Department of Defense.
The grant under discussion is performance-based and pays out as jobs are created and retained. Myers described the grant as $3,000 per job with a multi-year payout schedule administered through the city’s IDB; Hamilton County’s share would be 50% of the county/city split. Myers said Master Machine must meet 90% of its proposed job-creation target to receive any payout and must submit annual compliance reports and quarterly employment reports to document job creation and retention. The transcript also states the maximum amount of county contribution in any given year would be $13,000 (as read into the record).
Warren Brandon, president of Master Machine, said the company has grown from 11 to about 72 employees since 2014 under his ownership and that consolidating into the new space is critical for continued growth. Commissioners asked for copies of compliance reports; Myers said reports would go to the IDB and county staff and that the county could receive copies.
The transcript excerpt includes the presentation, the company’s investment and job targets, and details of the performance-based compliance and payout structure as described by Chamber and company representatives. The excerpt does not contain a recorded vote on Resolution 8-25-11, which would approve a grant to the IDB for Master Machine.
