It may be an overly-used statement in the industrial job growth world, but the city of Watseka and Iroquois County stands to benefit "in a huge way" with the recent of sale of Republic Storage Systems, LLC in Canton, Ohio.

Republic Storage manufactured lockers and shelving products. The assets of the company have been acquired by Echelon Capital, LLC and a new company has been formed, "Republic Storage Products, LLC, a separate portfolio company of Echelon.

The Echelon manufacturing group owns the Watseka-based Lyon Work Space Products. The Watseka connection means anywhere from 100 - 200 additional jobs at the Watseka Lyon Work Space Product plant.

"This is huge, one of the bigger things that have happened in Iroquois County in a long time," according to Ken Barragree, executive director of the Iroquois Economic Development Corporation.

"I'm looking forward to working with the company and looking forward to the revenue for the county," Barragree adds. "And I'm looking at people being abloe to find jobs right here at home."

Watseka's Lyon facility is undergoing expansion right now with a 50,000 square foot addition. The Lyon's Paris, Illinois plant will remain open.

And the closure of the Ohio metal-locker company eliminates a major competitor. Barragree says some company shuffling on the part of the Lyons group will spin off into big job opportunities in Watseka.

The Canton, Ohio plant closed April 10th. Following the transition period within the ranks of Republic Products, Echelon's four manufacturing facilities, including the Watseka Lyon's Products plant, will be number one in such Locker and shelving products.

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