Successful regional efforts were the driving force behind the recent announcement that Accurate Elastomer Products, Inc. is relocating to Elgin, Texas. The Greater Austin Chamber recruited AEP to the greater Austin area, took company officials to Elgin for a site visit and continued to be part of the effort throughout completion of the project.

“AEP is proud to be a part of the Austin business environment,” said AEP President, Rich Conner. “Everyone we have been dealing with from the Chamber of Commerce to personal realtors have been so welcoming.”

Founded in the early 1940’s and located in San Diego since 1950, AEP manufactures more than 20 million small natural and synthetic rubber components used in a wide variety of products in the Automotive, Aerospace, Electronic, Toys, Medical, Defense and Appliance industries every month. In Elgin, AEP will employ 45 people from management to production line workers. The 41,000 square foot facility will sit on a 10-acre tract of land in the Elgin Business Park at 1112 Swenson Boulevard.

AEP’s announcement will help move Opportunity Austin, the Greater Austin Chamber’s five year initiative aimed at creating 72,000 jobs, forward. On March 22, 2006, the Greater Austin Chamber announced that 47,600 jobs have been added to the region since the inception of Opportunity Austin in 2004.

“This is a perfect example of how cooperative efforts among many entities come together for a great success that will benefit everyone in our region,” said Gary Farmer, Chairman of the Greater Austin Economic Development Corporation. “Strong relationships help build a strong economy.”

Both the City of Elgin and Bastrop County provided personal property tax reimbursements to AEP. The value of the reimbursement is approximately $15,000 over 10 years if AEP brings $600,000 in personal property. Additionally, the City of Elgin worked hard to increase the marketability of the property, including some minor repairs and clean up. The City, County and Economic Development Corporation worked together to insure the success of this project.

“We couldn’t have been happier to have chosen Elgin, Texas for our long term business site,” Conner said. “We hope to build a work force that feels like part of a family as our operation in San Diego has personnel with tenures up to 40 years. Thank you to everyone that has helped us in our decision to relocate to Elgin.”