The Dublin Economic Development Corporation created a new grant for job creation and immediately awarded the first to Jarhead Fabrication, a new Dublin business with its eyes on innovating industry.
Dublin native Ray Rollins (who founded Jarhead with his brother, Jesse) was on hand to discuss his business, saying that their production of warehouse robotics is not currently being done by any US manufacturer although there are several manufacturers in the world market.
Rollins said they are looking at building 120 to 150 robots, and they estimated it would take 22 people working 40 hours per week to build each robot. Rollins said he had interested parties from other states and was currently finishing a second prototype for a company in Tennessee.
EDC Executive Director Karen Wright reinforced that some of Jarhead’s prospects are out-of-state indicating a large scope of potential growth for the business.
Depending on the type of machine, Jarhead is pricing the machines between $20,000 and $35,000 each. Rollins said these devices could make it possible to automate an entire building and work great for freezers with low temperatures that require human workers to leave regularly for safety.
Jarhead is now operating out of the long-running Johnson’s Sheet Metal building and Rollins reported that they still take in customers needing the general maintenance that the mainstay business has provided for years.
Rollins also reported that he intends to create local jobs with the business, reporting that half of their employees are former classmates from Dublin.
EDC members offered their excitement about the new business and approved a $9,999 grant the creation of primary jobs. (Darrell Curry abstained from the vote because he has helped out at Jarhead.)
EDC members also unanimously approved a $5,000 building improvement grant to Ben Pate for structural work done to the old Rexall building (102 S. Patrick, at the corner of Patrick and Blackjack).
Wright said she has already had interested parties ask about the location since Pate had support work and sheet metal done on the outside of the building.
Pate is excited about the “chance to re-establish” a Dublin main street location.
EDC members also approved an emergency expenditure of $100 made to Mac McKinnon to help print Welcome to Dublin handouts for visitors to the football play-off games held at Dublin Secondary School last month; and $3,050.06 for TxDOT highway signs to promote lodging and food. EDC will consider the funding of attraction signs once they receive an invoice.