PAINTSVILLE, Ky. – American Metal Works LLC has announced it will open a manufacturing site at an incubator space on the Mayo campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC).
“Our institution believes that true collaboration and partnerships are the foundation of regional transformation,” said BSCTC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “By incubating businesses, such as American Metal Works, our institution validates its longstanding commitment of being a leader in community, workforce and economic development. We are excited about the possibilities of this venture, especially the opportunities for our students to gain internships and apprenticeships in American Metal Works’ Computer Numerical Control (CNC) laboratory. This is an example of true collaboration and a public-private partnership that will create jobs and spawn the regional transformation we so desire.”
American Metal Works will be located in Building E on the Mayo campus in a 4,350-square-foot area. The company will use state-of-the-art CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining to provide services to industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical device and general manufacturing.
“This is the beginning of a transformation we have long sought after,” said Kelli Hall, dean of career education and workforce development at BSCTC. “We are proud to work with business and industry to help turn their dreams into a reality. This is the first step in an exciting chapter in business and industry development in eastern Kentucky.”
Pikeville natives James Glass and Dennis Rohrer are managing members of American Metal Works. They established American Metal Works in 2016 after having suffered the same economic downturn in the oil and gas industry that the coal industry suffered.
“Our goal is to try and keep the talented, well trained, hardworking people from leaving eastern Kentucky,” Rohrer said. “We have seen to many families reluctantly leave because of the lack of good paying jobs.”
Glass added, “Because of the tremendous support of so many different agencies from the local, state and federal levels, we are now positioned to grow a company that will provide the kind of jobs that will keep our people from leaving and generate tax revenues that will support local government services and help the socioeconomic health of our region.”
The Cabinet for Economic Development released the following statement on the American Metal Works announcement: “The governor [Matt Bevin] is supportive of manufacturing startups like American Metal Works, and of partnerships that combine educational institutions, private companies and workforce training.”
