SOUTH DEERFIELD — Three years after they began looking for a site that could accommodate their rapidly growing polyurethane manufacturing business in Deerfield and Whately, officials at Nupro LLC hit pay dirt only a few miles up the road.
Now the 7-year-old company is poised to build a new 125,000-square-foot headquarters building off Merrigan Way, double or triple its production capacity over the next five years, and add more than 50 high-paying manufacturing jobs, which would double its current workforce. Nupro develops polyurethane film, which is primarily used to protect paint on vehicles from chipping or other abrasions.
In addition to winning support from town officials this week, the project has caught the attention of state officials at the Commonwealth’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, which approved Nupro’s project — along with four others — through its Economic Development Incentive Program. These projects are expected to create a combined 373 net new jobs and retain 1,401 jobs throughout Massachusetts, while leveraging approximately $300 million in private investment.
The economic assistance agency said in a press release that Nupro will make a more than $25 million private investment, equip its new facility with $8 million to $10 million of new processing equipment and components, create 58 jobs and retain 46 jobs. Additionally, the town of Deerfield has approved a 10-year tax increment financing plan valued at approximately $332,223, while the economic assistance agency has approved investment tax credits in the amount of $580,000.
The company in August purchased two parcels of land off Merrigan Way in South Deerfield from the town — for $450,000 and $62,500. Nupro now has two production facilities, one already in Deerfield and one at 10 Sandy Lane in Whately, next to the Whately town offices.
With the new land in hand, Nupro plans to build a 124,680-square-foot building that will serve as the company’s headquarters, manufacturing and storage facility.
Ethier said the company currently leases its two other buildings and will “exit those and move under one roof” when this project is complete.
Remaining in the region, Ethier said, will allow Nupro to continue to grow as one of the “premiere” employers of Franklin County by offering high-wage manufacturing jobs, which will bring more revenue to the town.
“We’re committed to staying in Franklin County,” Ethier said, adding that paying high wages to their workers will help the region grow. “If we can keep our employees happy, that means keeping our customers happy, leading to being a much more profitable business in Franklin County. You’re investing in the local economy that way.”
The key to the relocation efforts, beyond the “desire to stay local,” Ethier said, was to find space for the more than 50 employees Nupro already has and then try to double that in the near future.
“Over the next five years we plan on creating additional capacity for production … essentially double or triple capacity,” he said.
The plan is to move into the building by April 2024. On Wednesday night, Nupro began the expedited permit application process with the Select Board. The board signaled its support for the project, but did not take a vote because it will be contracting Berkshire Design Group to conduct a peer review of the stormwater and wetland management plans — a decision that Planning Board Chairw Analee Wulfkuhle and the Conservation Commission agreed with at a Sept. 22 meeting.
Nupro’s public hearing will continue at the Nov. 2 Selectboard meeting.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.