Washington County, UTAH (April 9, 2020) — St. George Area Economic Development and RS Technologies Inc. (RS) announced today that it would locate a new manufacturing and distribution facility in St. George, Utah.
RS designs and manufactures the world’s highest-performing composite utility poles that are safer, more reliable and longer-lasting than wood, steel, and concrete poles. The company plans to invest approximately $35 million into its U.S. manufacturing expansion project, which involves an existing 240,000 square foot facility located in the Ft. Pierce Industrial Park. At that site, RS plans to increase production capacity for its poles to meet growing global demand.
“We welcome RS’s expansion to Ft. Pierce as it joins numerous leaders in manufacturing and distribution that call St. George home,” said St. George City Mayor Jon Pike. “The hundreds of well-paying jobs this expansion will create benefits our local economy in many ways.”
St. George City has approved a local incentive of up to $50,000 per year post-performance property tax refund for 2021 and 2022.
“We are excited RS chose to locate in St. George, UT. The former Viracon facility in the Ft. Pierce Industrial Park is the perfect fit for their manufacturing requirements. We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked on this project and to have played a role in bringing manufacturing jobs to the area,” said Troy Scheel, of Collier’s International, the local real estate brokerage firm that helped land the project.
RS is a private company that has been manufacturing its utility poles in Canada since 2003. RS has over 400 customers in more than 25 countries. RS’s composite utility poles are rugged, fire-resistant, and suitable for use in a wide range of transmission, distribution and communication applications.
“Utah is a national leader in the composites industry. We have the talent and we have innovative manufacturers in aerospace, outdoor products, and infrastructure,” said Theresa Foxley, president, and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “The expansion of RS Technologies in St. George is evidence that the composites industry represents a statewide strength.”
“With company values like, Caring, Integrity, Quality, Teamwork, Respect and Growth, RS is a welcome addition to a community that shares the same principles and innovative spirit,” said Rusty Hughes, Interim Director of St. George Area Economic Development. “Their arrival also exemplifies the effectiveness of local and state economic development coordination.”
