CHILLICOTHE, OH—Small businesses are the engines of America’s marketplace. Through the small business initiative partnership between Fluor-BWXT (FBP) and the Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO), several small businesses in the four-county region receive support through grants from the organizations’ Opportunity Fund. Most recently, the Murphy Hoffman Corporation (MHC) was presented with $12,850 to aid in the company’s growth and development.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” said MHC President and CEO, John Horn. “We recently launched a new business line called MHC RoadForce and this grant will help us continue to expand.”
The Murphy-Hoffman Company is a multi-state network of Kenworth dealers that provides more than 50,000 customers with a full range of truck-related services. MHC RoadForce is the company’s latest extension, creating dump truck beds.
“To expand we need to purchase a crane hoist and position equipment,” Horn continued. “This new product line will strengthen the Ross County economy by serving Kenworth and other brands in the area.”
“This company has doubled the number of employees and continues to foster a strong economic development presence,” said FBP Community Commitment Chair, Tim Poe. “We are pleased to provide this grant to support the acceleration of success.”
As part of Fluor-BWXT’s community commitment, significant economic investments are being made in the region through FBP’s partnership with JEDISO. The goal is to create and retain jobs for a sustainable and strong economy in Jackson, Pike, Ross, and Scioto counties. Since 2011, FBP has provided more than $5.5 million in economic grants–creating and retaining thousands of jobs in the four-county region.
“The underlying force here is being the go-to for resources in each of the counties we represent,” said Tammy Eallonardo, director of Greater Chillicothe and Ross County Development. “This localizes our approach to the growth in our area while still allowing us to share resources across the four counties to boost the creation and retention of jobs.”
To learn more about JEDISO, please visit www.choosesouthernohio.com or call 740.286.2838. To learn more about Fluor-BWXT, please visit www.fbportsmouth.com or call 740.987.2432.
Pictured– From left are Sam Brady, director of the Jackson County Economic Development Partnership (JCEDP); Tiffany Lemaster, assistant economic developer for Greater Chillicothe Ross County Development; Greg Wilkett, president and CEO of FBP; John Horn, MHC president and CEO; Tim Poe, chair of the FPB Community Commitment Committee and Tammy Eallonardo, director of Greater Chillicothe and Ross County Development.