Gov. Dave Heineman announced the expansion of Tejas Tubular Products Inc., to the Norfolk area. Tejas Tubular is a Texas-based manufacturer, who will bring approximately 200 jobs to Madison County over the next several years.
"It's great that Tejas Tubular is expanding their operations to Nebraska," said Gov. Heineman. "Their investment is a good example of how Nebraska is moving forward as a desired, premiere destination for companies looking to expand and create jobs. Tejas Tubular and our other outstanding private industry companies are learning that Nebraska has a quality workforce, good schools, safe communities, affordable homes and an unmatched quality of life. Nebraska is open for business."
Construction is expected to begin on the new 350,000 sq. ft. facility in 2014 with completion projected by the third quarter of 2015. Nucor Steel Bar Mill of Madison County will supply more than 150,000 tons of steel for products that include casing, drill pipe and line pipe for oil and gas production.
Tejas Tubular will apply for incentives under the Nebraska Advantage Tier six that requires a minimum investment of $109 million and 50 jobs. The company plans to hire more than 200 employees when they are fully operational. Additionally, the State of Nebraska is investing $1.4 million from its Site and Building Development Fund, and the City of Norfolk has earmarked $3.6 million in funds for the project.
"Today is possible because the citizens of Norfolk have spoken. Through their votes, they said economic development and growth is a priority," said Norfolk Mayor Sue Fuchtman. "Bringing Tejas Tubular to Norfolk is a monumental accomplishment for the community and all of northeast Nebraska. Our new industrial partner and its projected 200 employees will further cement Norfolk's role as a primary steel production community in the Midwest."
The State's Site and Building Development Fund provides financial assistance for such eligible activities as infrastructure development and improvements, and other preapproved costs. The Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, allows communities to use local tax dollars for economic development.
"We're impressed with Nebraska's fiscally conservative approach to doing business," said Max Tejeda, owner of Tejas Tubular Products, Inc. "The City of Norfolk also was instrumental in convincing us to locate here. I can readily see the quality and dedication of the local workforce, and am looking forward to hiring hard-working Nebraskans to manufacture our line of quality products."
"I'm excited about being able to supply the highest grade of steel for Tejas Tubular's OCTG products," said Dirk Petersen, general manager of Nucor Steel Bar Mill. "This strategic partnership, as well as location to markets is a win-win for both companies. This shows the commitment of our great Norfolk community to business and to creating American jobs and supporting American energy independence."
Tejas Tubular is a primary supplier to oil and gas producers throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Securing additional natural gas capacity to Norfolk also was key to the success of this project.
Black Hills Energy has been working with the City to ensure that Tejas Tubular has the natural gas supply it needs, by adding a new natural gas line to increase reliability and supply to northeast Nebraska.
The approximately 50 mile-long Northeast Nebraska line will increase the natural gas supply by more than 50 percent and connect to Northern Natural Gas Company's interstate pipeline, allowing northeast Nebraska to receive gas from multiple interstate pipelines.
"We live and work in the communities we serve and are committed to their growth and development," said Linn Evans, Black Hills Energy's president and chief operating officer of utilities. "We are pleased to welcome Tejas Tubular to Norfolk and look forward to the continued growth of the community with the addition of this new gas line."
Tejas Tubular Products, Inc., was founded in January 1990 in Houston, Texas, by Chief Executive Officer Maximo A. Tejeda. In 2008, Max Jr. joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. Soon afterwards the company expanded to four primary manufacturing facilities in the U.S., all of which service the American oil and gas fields.
Additionally, Tejas Tubular services customers in most oil and gas operating basins throughout the world. Today, with more than 700 employees in the U.S., Tejas Tubular offers a complete line of Oil Country Tubular Goods specializing in alloy products for use in oil and gas wells.
More information on Tejas Tubular Products, Inc., can be found at their website www.tejastubular.com.