Automotive supplier OPmobility plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Riverside, Missouri, creating more than 100 jobs as the company expands its North American operations.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced the project November 10.

The company will occupy a 213,000-square-foot leased facility in Riverside, located within the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The new operation will expand OPmobility’s manufacturing presence in North America while providing additional capacity to serve automotive customers throughout the Midwest and other U.S. markets.

New Manufacturing Operation Planned

OPmobility develops and manufactures automotive components and technologies for vehicle manufacturers.

Its operations include exterior vehicle systems, lighting, complex modules, energy storage, and technologies associated with battery and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The company is headquartered in France and operates internationally.

The Riverside project represents an additional manufacturing location within its North American network.

According to Missouri officials, the company’s decision reflects the Kansas City region’s transportation infrastructure, automotive manufacturing workforce, and access to customers.

The new facility will occupy approximately 213,000 square feet of leased industrial space.

The announcement does not identify a specific production start date or provide a detailed construction schedule.

More Than 100 Jobs Expected

OPmobility expects the new operation to create more than 100 jobs.

Missouri’s announcement states that the positions will pay an average wage substantially above the county average.

However, the state did not publish a specific average annual salary in the announcement.

The positions represent projected employment associated with the new facility rather than jobs that have already been filled.

The company has not provided a complete hiring schedule or detailed breakdown of available positions.

Additional recruitment information may become available as the Riverside operation develops.

Kansas City Region Supports Automotive Manufacturing

The Kansas City metropolitan area has an established automotive manufacturing industry.

According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the regional automotive sector generates approximately $5.3 billion in economic activity and supports more than 20,000 jobs.

The area includes major vehicle manufacturers and a network of more than 100 automotive suppliers.

This existing industrial base provides access to manufacturing services, transportation infrastructure, and workers with relevant experience.

The region’s central location also supports distribution to customers throughout the United States.

Missouri officials identify these characteristics as factors supporting OPmobility’s decision to establish the new facility.

State Incentives Support the Project

OPmobility is expected to benefit from Missouri’s Missouri Works Program.

The program provides qualifying businesses with economic development assistance through mechanisms that can include tax credits or retention of certain employee withholding taxes.

For the Riverside project, the state estimates that OPmobility could receive approximately $2.15 million through Missouri Works.

The precise estimated amount is $2,149,143.

However, the assistance remains subject to verification of applicable program requirements.

The estimated incentive should not be interpreted as money already paid to the company.

OPmobility may also receive workforce recruitment and training assistance through Missouri One Start.

That program helps eligible employers recruit workers and develop training programs suited to their operations.

Investment Amount Not Disclosed

Although Missouri confirmed the new facility and projected employment, its November 10 announcement does not specify the company’s total capital investment.

The 213,000-square-foot figure describes the size of the leased manufacturing facility, not the value of the investment.

Similarly, the estimated Missouri Works incentive represents potential state assistance rather than the company’s capital expenditure.

The distinction is important when evaluating the scale of the project.

The company has committed to establishing the facility and anticipates creating more than 100 jobs, but additional financial and operational details remain undisclosed.

New Manufacturing Activity for Riverside

The project will bring ...

Universal Services, an industrial fabrication contractor headquartered in Leakesville, Mississippi, is expanding its manufacturing operations through a $4.25 million investment that is expected to create 25 jobs in Greene County.

The Mississippi Development Authority announced the project November 10, identifying it as an expansion of an established local business.

The company plans to construct a 16,000-square-foot building at its existing location and install advanced fabrication equipment to increase production capabilities.

The expansion is expected to be completed by mid-2028.

New Facility Will Expand Manufacturing Capacity

Universal Services provides mechanical, electrical, structural steel, and sheet metal fabrication services.

Its customers operate in several industries, including commercial construction, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and marine services.

The new building will provide additional manufacturing space while allowing the company to introduce specialized equipment.

Planned improvements include a 20,000-watt tube laser and a 30,000-watt plate laser for structural steel fabrication.

These machines will expand the company’s ability to cut and process steel components for customer projects.

Universal Services also plans to install an industrial coil line and spiral duct machine.

Those additions will increase its capabilities in sheet metal manufacturing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ductwork fabrication.

The investment therefore includes both additional physical space and new manufacturing technology.

Twenty-Five Jobs Expected

The company expects to create 25 jobs as the expansion progresses.

According to the state’s announcement, Universal Services plans to fill the positions within three years.

The announcement does not provide projected average wages, individual job classifications, or a detailed hiring schedule.

The 25 positions represent anticipated new employment rather than jobs already filled.

Additional hiring information may become available as the company installs equipment and increases production.

An Established Greene County Business

Universal Services was founded in 2004 and has operated from Leakesville for more than two decades.

The company is woman-owned and holds HUBZone and ASME certifications.

Its project history includes more than 8,500 completed assignments for commercial and government customers.

The Mississippi Development Authority identifies NASA and the U.S. Air Force among the organizations the company has served.

The expansion represents continued investment in the company’s existing community rather than relocation to a larger metropolitan market.

For Greene County, the project will add manufacturing capacity and create opportunities for additional industrial employment.

State and County Support

The Mississippi Development Authority is supporting the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive program, commonly known as MFLEX.

The program provides qualifying businesses with tax incentives associated with eligible investments and economic development activities.

Greene County is also assisting with the expansion.

The state’s announcement does not specify the total dollar value of the incentive assistance.

Consequently, the $4.25 million figure represents the company’s announced corporate investment, not a government grant.

The project remains subject to the company’s construction and employment plans.

Advanced Equipment Supports Future Growth

The planned laser fabrication systems and sheet metal equipment will allow Universal Services to expand the types of manufacturing work it can perform.

For customers requiring structural steel components, industrial fabrication, or specialized ductwork, the additional capabilities may provide another source of production capacity.

The company has not announced specific new customer contracts associated with the investment.

However, the expansion is intended to position Universal Services to pursue more complex projects and increase its manufacturing capabilities.

Completion Expected in 2028

Universal Services expects to complete the expansion by mid-2028 and fill the 25 projected positions within three years.

The project represents a $4.25 million investment by an established Greene County business.

For Leakesville, the announcement brings the prospect of additional industrial employment and continued development of ...

Small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and commercial property owners in Duncanville, Texas, have an opportunity to learn about financial assistance for improving their business properties during a city-sponsored information session scheduled for November 12.

The City of Duncanville is promoting its Design Incentive Grant Program, which supports qualifying exterior and interior improvements to commercial properties.

City economic development staff will explain the program and answer questions about potential projects.

The upcoming session provides a practical opportunity for business owners considering storefront improvements, signage, landscaping, or other qualifying property upgrades.

Information Session Scheduled for November 12

Duncanville has scheduled the remaining information session for Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m.

The meeting will take place in the City Hall Council Chambers.

The city previously scheduled another session for November 10 at 7:30 a.m.

Business owners are invited to attend one session to learn about the available assistance.

The city is requesting advance registration.

The November 12 meeting is particularly relevant to owners who have been considering property improvements but want to understand the potential financial assistance before proceeding.

What Types of Improvements Are Covered?

According to the city’s announcement, the Design Incentive Grant Program is intended to help businesses pursue improvements involving exterior and interior design.

Examples identified by the city include façade upgrades, new business signage, and landscaping improvements.

These projects can affect the appearance and functionality of commercial properties.

For retailers, restaurants, service providers, and other storefront businesses, exterior improvements may also help customers identify and access their locations.

However, not every proposed improvement will necessarily qualify for funding.

Business owners should review the program’s requirements before assuming that a particular expense is eligible.

Who Should Attend?

The city specifically invites Duncanville small-business owners, local entrepreneurs, and commercial property owners.

The session is intended to help participants understand the Design Incentive Grant Program and determine whether it may be relevant to their properties.

Businesses planning improvements may benefit from discussing their proposed projects directly with city staff.

Commercial property owners considering renovations can also use the session to learn about the program’s requirements.

The announcement does not establish that every business attending will qualify for assistance.

Funding Details Require Confirmation

Duncanville’s November 6 municipal update confirms the information session and identifies the types of improvements the program is intended to support.

However, that announcement does not specify the current maximum grant amount, matching requirements, available funding balance, or application deadline.

Those details should be confirmed with the city’s economic development staff.

The information session should therefore be understood as an opportunity to learn about the program, not a guarantee that funding will be awarded.

Businesses should also determine whether applications must be approved before beginning improvement work.

City Continues Commercial Development Efforts

Duncanville’s economic development activities include programs intended to support commercial properties and encourage investment in local business districts.

The city’s November 6 update also documents previously approved incentive agreements involving local businesses and commercial properties.

Those earlier awards are separate from the upcoming information session and should not be interpreted as newly available funding.

The Design Incentive Grant Program provides another avenue for businesses to explore potential assistance with property improvements.

How to Participate

The remaining information session is scheduled for November 12 at 6 p.m. in the Duncanville City Hall Council Chambers.

Interested business owners can register using the form provided in the city’s official November 6 update.

Participants should consider bringing basic information about their properties and the improvements they are considering.

The meeting offers an opportunity to ask questions about eligibility, application procedures, and ...