Fencing maker to locate in Sebree

By CHUCK STINNETT
Gleaner staff
831-8343 * cstinnett@thegleaner.com
Thursday, August 3, 2006

A new industry has agreed to locate in Webster County, the region's economic development director said Tuesday.

Sebree Fence Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kalinich Fence Co. of Strongsville, Ohio, will be the first occupant of the new Sebree South Industrial Park, located on U.S. 41 just south of Sebree.

"It's a very nice company. It's been family-owned for over 100 years," Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of Northwest Kentucky Forward, told his board members.

The company initially will manufacture wood-slat snow and sand fences as well as privacy, lawn and garden, and split rail fencing in a $775,000, 12,000-square-foot sawmill it will construct at the industrial park.

A state Cabinet for Economic Development press release said the mill will employ 16 people. But Sheilley said the work force will start at 20 "and could grow to 50 to 60 employees."

"They've committed, once they're up and going, to provide a very generous health insurance package to employees," he said.

In a statement, Gov. Ernie Fletcher said he is "delighted" that the company selected Sebree. "This project will provide a positive economic impact for the community, creating jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Webster County," he said.

The company was attracted to this area because of the availability of wood, Sheilley said.

Snow fences are used to prevent snow from drifting across highways and airport runways, according to the Kalinich Web site. Sand fences are used for beach preservation and to help restore dunes after a storm surge.

The fences consist of four-foot-long wood laths woven together with heavy wire and sold in 50-foot long rolls.

The company, which was founded in 1905 and has operations in Ohio, Michigan and Texas, is purchasing a 15-acre site next to where Webster County is preparing to construct a 42,000-square-foot industrial spec building.

It is the nation's largest manufacturer of wood-slat snow and sand fences. Its products are sold through retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, Tractor Supply and Do-It Best hardware stores.

The industry is the first to be successfully recruited to the Northwest Kentucky region since the four counties merged their economic development efforts at the beginning of this year.

Debbie Gray, the economic development executive for Western Kentucky Energy and chairman of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, said she is pleased that the agency's first new industry is locating outside Henderson County.

That, she said, provides evidence that Northwest Kentucky Forward will work to bring jobs to Webster, Union and McLean counties, and not just focus on Henderson County.

"We explored three other states as a possible site for our new facility," said Mike Kalinich Jr., vice President of Sebree Fence, said in a statement. "It became apparent that Sebree, Ky., was the logical choice.

"The biggest reason for this decision was the enthusiasm and support shown by the Cabinet for Economic Development and Webster County. They worked hard to bring our company here and made us feel welcome throughout the entire process," he said.

The company has received preliminary approval for up to $480,000 in tax incentives under the Kentucky Rural Economic Development Act program.

"We are pleased that Sebree Fence Co. has selected Webster County for their newest facility and that they will be the first tenants in the new Sebree South Industrial Park," Webster County Judge-executive Jim Townsend said in a statement.

"The Kalinichs are wonderful people and they will be great employers," Townsend said.