Today Whirlpool announced a major expansion to its production facilities in Greenville. The company plans to spend $40 million in order to add 200,000 square feet to its existing facilities. To support the new production, Whirlpool will hire at least 400 new employees over the next several years.The announcement was made at 1:00pm Friday at Whirlpool with hundreds of employees and many public officials looking on. Several Whirlpool officials spoke, including the formal announcement via live feed from Chicago. The common theme from Whirlpool was that this expansion was due to the excellent work of its employees and cooperation with local officials. It was stated that the company could not replicate the quality and craftsmanship of its Greenville workers.
Other venues were explored for the expansion, both in the United States and abroad. Whirlpool thanked elected officials for helping to seal the deal, calling out Governor John Kasich and Mayor Mike Bowers by name.
Mayor Bowers addressed the audience and confirmed that "a very aggressive incentive package" was offered to Whirlpool. Bowers also stated that "if it weren't for the workers we wouldn't have an announcement today."
Previously recorded statements from Senator Sherrod Brown and Speaker John Boehner were also presented.
The final comments were given by Governor John Kasich, who left the stage and spoke among the employees present for the event. Kasich told the workers that Whirlpool is "only going to be here because they are standing on your shoulders." Kasich said the people of Darke County were "hard working" and "value driven" and this expansion "locks this community down with Whirlpool" for a long time to come.
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| Local legislators and Governor Kasich shared lunch at Maid Rite prior to the big announcement |