U.S. Congressman Zack Space (D-Dover) announced the expansion of the plant that produces bearings on Monday.

The expansion includes the addition of a 35,000-square-foot building next to the current plant, located on Ohio 60, and 60 jobs.

"Miba is focused on being a technical leader," said Bernie Anderson, president of the Miba bearings division. "Part of their thinking is not just an image, but truly being a technical leader."

The addition will have all new equipment, which is being constructed in Austria, according to Mike Workman, president of the Morgan County CIC.

He said the project is scheduled to be complete by April of 2009.

Christi Mash, regional director of the governor's office, said the incentive investment package through the Ohio Department of Development totals more than $3.8 million.

Pleased with adding Miba to the list of growing businesses in Morgan County, alongside ABC Manufacturing and EZ Grout Corporation, Space called the expansion of Miba a success story.

"We use Morgan County as an example around the state of what can happen when the attitude is right and people work together for a common cause," He said.

He began working with local officials, state and federal groups on the expansion project four months ago.

"It's very encouraging in the face of difficult economic times," he said. "It's cause for optimism in troubling times."

Workman said it's not the end of the business growth in the county. He said Mahle International, across the street, is expected to announce an expansion soon that is expected to be complete by the fall.

"In the past, about 18 months, we've created 450 new jobs in the county," he said. "It's a huge turn around. We're standing on our own two feet, taking things on our own responsibility and making things happen."

Space said Morgan County has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 8.8 percent and those who are employed are leaving the county for work.

He added that the $30 million project is 14 percent of the total assessed value of the county.

"When a manufacturing facility comes in or expands, it just reverberates throughout the community," he said.

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