A new automotive supplier is about to call the city of Auburn its home.
Gov. Robert Bentley announced Dec. 18 that automotive supply company RAPA, Rausch and Pausch LP, will be locating its U.S. headquarters and production facility in Auburn.
The German automotive supplier is already building in Auburn Technology Park West, located off of Beehive Road, said David Dorton, director of public affairs for the city of Auburn.
RAPA's move to Auburn will have a large effect on the community.
"RAPA will provide 100 plus jobs to the community, and their capital investment of $18 million and ongoing operation will impact Auburn's economy and tax revenue for city services," Dorton said.
According to Horst Pausch Sr., chairman of the board, RAPA is looking to stay in Auburn long term.
"Over time, we want to build a company in Auburn that is independent from Germany, with its own research and development capabilities and its own set of North America-based customers," Pausch said in a press release.
Auburn has a variety of positive elements that make it an ideal location for companies to conduct their business, according to Dorton.
"There are many factors that make Auburn attractive to local industry, including a major university, an excellent school system and high satisfaction with the local quality of life," Dorton said. "Auburn is centrally located on the I-85 corridor, convenient to Atlanta and Montgomery."
Dorton said during the announcement of RAPA's plans to locate to Auburn, Gov. Bentley said he has been to Auburn more than any other city in Alabama to announce economic development news.
RAPA's decision to locate in Auburn supports Auburn's economic development strategy, Dorton said.
"The long term economic development strategy of the city has been to locate a diversity of small- to medium-sized industries, which helps provide a stable foundation for jobs and the local economy," Dorton said. "RAPA will contribute to that foundation, providing jobs and economic activity in Auburn."
That economic strategy extends to the state of Alabama with Accelerate Alabama, the state's economic development strategic plan.
"The automotive industry is one of the business sectors we focus on in Accelerate Alabama, and RAPA fits right in with our long-term economic development plans for Alabama," Bentley said in a press release. "RAPA will soon know what so many other national and international corporate leaders have learned: there's no better place to do business than Alabama."
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