East Penn Manufacturing Company has finalized agreements to build a new facility in Oelwein to fill, form, finish and distribute automotive batteries. The company has entered into agreements with the Iowa Development Economic Authority (IDEA), the City of Oelwein, Alliant Energy, and other key partners in facilitating this new extension of the company's distribution and storage capabilities.

East Penn is projected to break ground for the new facility in the second quarter of 2016. This facility will be approximately 260,000 square feet in size and will create new jobs within the community. East Penn will be working with the Northeast Iowa Community College to aid in job training and employee development programs.

"The collaboration between all parties involved has been nothing short of remarkable, said Bob Flicker, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of East Penn. "We look forward to growing this positive relationship for years to come. It has been eight years since we started our first distribution operations in Oelwein, and we have been honored to reside within this community ever since."

According to East Penn officials, Oelwein is a strategic location to enhance product support of the company's customers in the western United States and other key points across North America. East Penn also operates a distribution center in Oelwein and a manufacturing facility in Corydon, Iowa.

East Penn

More From K92.3