FORT SCOTT, Kan. — A former manufacturing facility in Fort Scott is getting new life as AmericanMaid Plastics plans to move into the former Timken building, bringing more than 200 jobs to the community over the next two years.
The company, which manufactures plastic molds for other businesses, plans to relocate equipment from California and establish manufacturing operations in Fort Scott. Once operational, the facility will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with machine operators working around the clock.
The Kansas Department of Commerce helped initiate the project by contacting city officials about a company interested in locating in Fort Scott. Discussions between city leaders and the company’s owner eventually led to an agreement to establish operations in the community.
The announcement comes after Fort Scott lost approximately 200 jobs over the past four years following the departures of Timken and Valley Merchandising. City officials have since focused on attracting new manufacturers and rebuilding the local workforce.
According to city officials, Fort Scott did not offer financial incentives to secure the project.
City Manager Brad Matkin called the announcement a significant opportunity for the community.
“It shows that we aren’t just sitting still. It shows we are wanting to grow, shows that we are wanting to improve what we have,” Matkin said. “We feel Fort Scott is in a momentum building process right now.”
The project is expected to provide new full-time employment opportunities while strengthening Fort Scott’s manufacturing sector and local economy.
