Genie to start producing Z135 boom in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - While contributing $50,000 to downtown revitalization efforts, Genie Industries announced plans to manufacture its Z135 boom at the Moses Lake plant Tuesday, calling it the company's highest demand product.

"That should be a big boost," said Steve Walter, Genie's group vice president of human resources.

But it doesn't mean the company will start a huge hiring spree, Genie Operations Director Glenn Gere said. Gere did call the Moses Lake facility very profitable.

This fall and this month, Genie temporarily closed its Moses Lake plant for a few days at a time as part of scaling back efforts.

Genie also carried out two rounds of employee cutbacks recently, which decreased the amount of workers.

Walter said he didn't know if the company was done with the type of announcements the company made earlier this year, apparently referring to the cutbacks.

He explained the outlook and economy are uncertain.

Walter talked about challenges the company faced this year. Walter named a 62 percent increase in steel prices. People aren't building giant airports or "insta-cities," he added.

Walter thanked members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) for allowing the company to contribute to the downtown revitalization project.

Genie is one of several businesses taking part in the state Department of Revenue's Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program.

The Moses Lake Business Association has been eligible for the program since December 2005.

Under the program, businesses may make a donation toward downtown renovations. The state provides business and occupation, or B&O, tax credits to each participating city.

Each business making a contribution receives 75 percent of the amount contributed back as a tax credit.

In 2007, contributors in Moses Lake donated $128,800, to the program, former association Executive Director Sally Goodwin told the Columbia Basin Herald in a past interview.

The state uses $1.5 million of the tax for community projects, according to Marianne Bondi, MLBA executive director.

He said Moses Lake is a big part of what Genie does and called the town a great community with the good work ethic.

Walter added that Genie is happy to be part of the community.

Dean Wisler, Genie's vice president of North American manufacturing, said the company is constantly evaluating its manufacturing foot print around the U.S. and worldwide.

Wisler said the company should be done moving the Z135 from its Redmond plant to Moses Lake by the first quarter of 2009.

Walter added the Z135 is the company's product in highest demand.

MLBA President Rich Engelmann called Genie's contribution an awesome gesture in the current economy.

Possible projects the money could be used for include LakeTown Landing flower pots, flowers and maintenance, LakeTown landing banners, visitor information kiosks, facade improvements and beautification, business recruitment and retention, wayfinding and gateway signage, a wireless music system and event promotion for Sinkiuse Square.

Bondi said the state set the program up so businesses can help their own towns, instead of the money being used statewide.

Other program contributors for 2008 include:

REC Silicon, Columbia Valley Wine Warehouse (Columbia Colstor), Furniture West, M&M Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.,

Perkins Cake & Steak, Miller's Fine Jewelers, LAD Irrigation, Creviston and Pederson, LLC (Valley Eye Care and Vision Clinic),

Moses Lake Steel Supply, Cobblestone Corner, Basin Employment Service & Training, AG World Group, Inc.,

Colbasia Cabinets, Inc., Discovery Ford and Honda, Credit Services of Washington (Central Bonded Collectors) and Bar-B-Q Depot.

The MLBA has more than $16,500 left for 2008 and invites businesses to participate in the program.

For more information, call 509-764-1745 or Sally at 509-760-2139.