Tacoma-based aerospace parts manufacturer Tool Gauge recently received a $125,000 grant for the hiring of approximately 100 new workers and the advanced training of 50 current employees.

The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded the grant in partnership with the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County and Impact Washington. Tool Gauge, a family-owned company with about 150 employees, plans to open a state-of-the-art facility in Tacoma later this year. The new facility will feature an additional 80,000 square feet of space in the company’s plastics division, a new vertical paint system, an additional 2,000 square feet for CNC equipment in the metals division, the implementation of multiple collaborative robots, and more.

“This is a huge boost to our expansion and training efforts, and we are very excited about the potential this Work Start grant brings to Tool Gauge,” said Tool Gauge CEO Debbie Lee. “As we build our new facility and hire new staff, employee training remains a central component of our success. This state support is critical to helping us meet our training goals before we move into our new factory in July.”

According to the Department of Commerce, the aerospace industry employs more than 136,000 people at approximately 1,400 companies in Washington. The sector also produces almost $70 billion in statewide economic activity.

“I appreciate the Washington State Department of Commerce and Governor Jay Inslee’s unwavering support of job creation and the impact that their support is having throughout the region,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “I am especially excited that their efforts will bring valuable tech training and aerospace jobs to Tacoma.”

The original article is found here.