U.S. Bridge Announces Expansion in Guernsey County
Cambridge, Ohio –– The Ohio Bridge Corporation dba U.S. Bridge (USB), in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), and the Guernsey County CIC, Wednesday announced a future investment of several million dollars by USB to expand bridge manufacturing in Cambridge and substantially grow its employment.
Founded in 1936 by Herman and Ted Rogovin as The American Culvert Company, in 1947 The Ohio Bridge Corporation began engineering and manufacturing the first factory, all-welded steel component truss and beam bridges in the country.
Ten years later, they became the first bridge builders to hot dip galvanize steel trusses, replacing paint with molten zinc. This “Gold Standard of corrosion prevention” (Federal Highways) remains the only steel protection to be warranted by any producer against corrosion for 35 years. Many millions of dollars have been saved by local, state and foreign governments no longer required to close roads for repairs and the repainting of rusting bridges. Today, saving taxpayer dollars remains a principal value of the company.
“For more than 70 years, U.S. Bridge has been a pioneer in the bridge manufacturing industry, revolutionizing how bridges are built across the country,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The family-owned company’s decision to expand operations in Southeast Ohio is a testament to their success in the region, while creating 41 new jobs in Guernsey County.”
The investment includes the construction of one of the largest prefab manufacturing buildings in the state which will dramatically improve efficiency while lowering costs. This will permit the installation of new equipment and production lines staffed by a substantially larger number of associates, adding to the Cambridge population and economy.
“This expansion represents an exciting new chapter in our nearly 90-year history,” said Dan Rogovin, President and CEO of U.S. Bridge. “Our roots are here in Cambridge, and we’re proud to continue investing in the community that helped build us. This project not only strengthens our ability to meet growing infrastructure demands across the U.S. and abroad but also creates new opportunities for skilled employment right here at home. We’re committed to building bridges—in every sense—that connect people, communities, and progress.”
These improvements will significantly increase the company’s production capacity and enable U.S. Bridge to bid competitively on larger bridge contracts. A vital pillar of this plan will be the economical development of a new access road for emergency use, funded by a 629 Roadway Development Grant.
In a first for the state, the grant recipient reduced the amount of the grant a significant amount by changing the materials required for construction, thereby contributing to the overall fiscal capacity of ODOT programs. In the words of the U.S. Bridge Chairman, “We are first and foremost citizens of the USA and, second, of the Great State of Ohio, and what benefits each should be planned to benefit all.”
“The City of Cambridge extends its sincere appreciation to U.S. Bridge for its decision to invest in our community and for its commitment to creating and retaining local jobs,” said Cambridge Mayor Tom Orr. “This significant investment represents not only a vote of confidence in Cambridge’s future but also a tangible contribution to our economic vitality. The successful realization of this project is a testament to the strong collaboration and shared vision demonstrated at the local, regional, and state levels. It exemplifies the proactive, solutions-oriented approach that defines our community and its partners.”
The project was supported by a JobsOhio Grant, which promotes economic development, business expansion, and job creation by funding eligible projects.
“U.S. Bridge is an excellent entrepreneurial success story for Southeast Ohio,” said OhioSE President and CEO Matt Abbott. “We and our partners at JobsOhio welcome the company’s continued growth in service and impact in Guernsey County.”
–
