Bunn brews up potential jobs

A truck waits to be unloaded at the Bunn-O-Matic warehouse off Commerce Road in Creston's industrial park. According to Union County Development Association Executive Director Wayne Pantini, a $242,000 improvement to the warehouse could create 35 jobs.

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Union County’s largest employer is about to get a bit bigger.

According to Union County Development Association (UCDA) Executive Director Wayne Pantini, improvements to a Bunn-O-Matic warehouse in the Creston industrial park could mean an additional 20 full-time and 15 part-time positions at the coffee pot manufacturer.

Plans are for the warehouse, which Bunn-O-Matic has leased from UCDA since 2003, to receive $242,000 in renovations. This would include installing bathrooms, upgrading the electrical system and hard-surfacing an access road.

Pantini said work on the building is expected to be completed by May 2010. After the improvements, Bunn-O-Matic will use the warehouse for light manufacturing, parts and service and as a distribution center.

“What this allows them to do is free up some space at the main plant,” Pantini said.

Because of confidentially rules, Bunn-O-Matic Plant Manager Tracy Hurt could only verify that the company did renew its lease with UCDA, and said the warehouse was “not in great physical condition.”

A summary of the project presented by Pantini to the Union County Board of Supervisors Monday states Bunn-O-Matic utilizes Manpower Temporary Services to hire all new employees at a starting wage of approximately $9.63 per hour plus minimum benefits. After 90 days of temporary service, workers qualify for full-time employment with Bunn-O-Matic.

Bunn-O-Matic has a five-year lease agreement with UCDA that stipulates the building improvements. Half of the project’s cost, $121,000, will be funded by a loan to UCDA from First Federal Saving Bank with the additional 50 percent coming from Southern Iowa Council of Governments’ industrial revolving loan fund.

Union County Board of Supervisors has agreed to provide $15,125 to meet half of the 25 percent local match required for the revolving loan fund. Creston City Council will be asked to do the same.