Manufacturer seeks MEDC loan for West Allis move

A growing manufacturer moving from New Berlin to West Allis is seeking a loan from a nonprofit business lender to help finance that project.

Blast Cleaning Technologies Inc. plans to move from 16211 W. Lincoln Ave. to a former Allis-Chalmers Corp. building at 6682 W. Greenfield Ave.

Blast makes equipment that uses steel shot to clean metal parts and products. Its customers include foundries and manufacturers of cookware and other metal products.

The company, led by President Carl Panzenhagen, announced its relocation plans in July. The firm has outgrown its New Berlin space.

Its corporate affiliate, Metcast Service Tech Resources Inc., is now seeking a $325,000 loan from Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. to help finance the $2.9 million project.

The project’s main lender would be Commerce State Bank, with the City of

West Allis also providing a $300,000 loan, according to an MEDC report.

Around $2 million would be spent on improving the 127,000-square-foot leased facility and buying industrial equipment. The remaining funds would be set aside for working capital, the report said.

The company has 76 full-time employees, and expects to add 35 more full-time employees within two years, according to MEDC.

MEDC’s Loan and Finance Committee is to consider the loan at its Tuesday meeting.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com.