Fayetteville, TN – Rural Development Partners invested $15 million in NMTCs to help AriensCo revitalize an abandoned facility. The expansion means 350 new quality jobs for the region, and catalytic economic and workforce development impacts.
“We were excited from day one to be involved in this project with Ariens. The large number of jobs created will provide opportunities for many at a previously shuttered facility. Ariens has an impressive track-record of giving back to the Community and I look forward to what that means for Fayetteville and the surrounding area.”– Dan Helgeson, CEO of Rural Development Partners
Ariens expansion into Tennessee is in response to a sharp increase in demand outpacing the company’s production capacity in Wisconsin. An outdated building was revitalized into a 600,000 SF state-of-the-art manufacturing facility serving as a hub for Ariens Gravely brand of commercial outdoor power equipment. This facility positions the company geographically closer to its customers, dealer partners, and material suppliers in the Southeast, while producing positive catalytic impacts for Fayetteville and the surrounding region. NMTCs helped offset the increased costs of construction and equipment, allowing Ariens to accelerate plans for capital investments into the community.
“This was a win-win-win partnership for the Fayetteville community, for Rural Development Partners and for AriensCo. We are proud to have a longstanding tradition of supporting rural America”, said AriensCo Chief Financial Officer, James Young. “We have been in Brillion, Wisconsin, a farming community of about 3,300 people, for nearly 90 years. We’re a privately owned, family company that has grown up in small town America and we’re proud to partner with another small town by providing a great place to build a career.”
AriensCo celebrated the grand opening of their new Fayetteville facility in August of 2023:
RDP’s Community Investment Program
RDP and Ariens partnered to award a matching funds grant of $150,000 for workforce development initiatives in Lincoln County (TN).
Mobile STEM Lab
$80,000 has been donated to provide a second mobile STEM lab for Lincoln County. The lab features virtual reality programs and 3D printers that enhance knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for K-8th grade students. The bus was donated by Lincoln County Schools Transportation Department and renovations/equipment covered by the grant. LCS HS students, led by an instructor, have an opportunity to develop great workforce skills throughout the renovation process. The STEM lab will be displayed at K-8 feeder schools and outdoor community events during football games and the Lincoln County Fair.
Welding Program
The educational community recognized the need for a robust welding program that meets local industry demand while giving Lincoln County students the best opportunity for a high-earning career. Lincoln County High School (LCHS) offers a welding program, however space is limited for student participation; Fayetteville High School (FHS) lacks space for a welding lab on campus. Given these obstacles, and the closest TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology; Shelbyville) welding lab approximately 30 miles from the high schools, AriensCo who is located next door to FHS, and within 2.5 miles from LCHS, donated approximately 6,000 SF of space to house a TCAT welding lab.
$70,000 will pay for renovations to accommodate the local TCAT welding lab featuring 20 welding stations, a classroom, instructors office, storage space, parking, lounge, and infrastructure. This dedicated community has taken additional steps to stabilize the program long-term as FHS funds the equipment and instructor salary for one year, an Innovative School Models Grant funds consumables, and TCAT/Shelbyville vets instructors, provides curriculum, institutional support, and sustains funding after the first year. Grant funds remaining will provide tool scholarships for dual enrolled students taking the program.
