TEMCO Industries has come a long way since it converted an unused dairy barn into a sheltered workshop for adults with developmental disabilities 50 years ago. On Tuesday, June 5, the organization’s buildings and nearly 4 acres were donated to TEMCO by Emmaus Homes.“On behalf of our board of directors, clients, employees and donors we are pleased to continue to support the on-going efforts of TEMCO and their incredible employees,” said Cindy Clark, president and CEO of Emmaus Homes.When the decision was made to transition Emmaus Home clients from the Marthasville campus to area group homes, a huge challenge faced TEMCO. The Department of Natural Resources informed the organization its lagoon system permit would not be renewed without extensive work.Kylene Lottman, executive director, said TEMCO received a Community Block Development Grant in 2016 for $250,000 to add sewer and water to the property.“Because we did not own the property, we could not begin construction,” said Lottman. “Now that we own it, we can start work on the well and septic.”Lottman said TEMCO received an additional block grant for $100,000 to add a 3,000-square-foot addition, move its cafeteria to the main level and construct ADA-compliant bathrooms for the employees.In the last few weeks, the addition was complete and as soon as the concrete dried, they moved in and started using the workspace. Lottman expects the addition to be completely finished in August.“Business is brisk,” she said. “Right now we have 62 employees, 11 staff and 12 part-time employees.”TEMCO employees work approximately 28 hours per week and live in Franklin and Warren counties. They are currently involved in about 30 different projects, including transformer part assembly, motor assembly, kit assemblies or folding and bagging T-shirts. They are approaching $500,000 in sales.“We’re pretty special here,” said Lottman with a smile. “For TEMCO employees, it is never just about the wages. It’s more about the pride of belonging and sense of self-esteem that many of our employees experience for the first time in their lives when they start at TEMCO.”Lottman said the employees have plans for a very special dance to be held during a grand opening later this year.TEMCO Inc. is always looking for certified employees, according to Lottman. For more information, visit www.TEMCOworkshop.org. It is located east of Marthasville at 16950 Rinne Road near the Emmaus campus.

Emmaus Homes donated the workshop building and nearly 4 acres to TEMCO Inc. Tuesday, June 5. The sheltered workshop will now be able to add a well and septic system to its property. Community Development Block Grants have made it possible to pay for the improvement and to add a 3,000-square-foot addition to the facility. TEMCO is a sheltered workshop located east of Marthasville near the Emmaus Homes campus. It provides employment to adults with developmental disabilities. Pictured, from left, are Cindy Clark, president and CEO of Emmaus; Gael Wood, president of the TEMCO Properties Board; Bill Schwab, president of the board for TEMCO; and Kylene Lottman, executive director of TEMCO. 

Record photo/Cindy Gladden