Heartland Fabrication Announces $60 Million Expansion in Brownsville, Bringing 150+ New Jobs
A major investment in Brownsville's future is bringing new opportunities for local workers and strengthening the community's longstanding connection to American manufacturing.
Heartland Fabrication has announced plans to invest approximately $60 million in its Brownsville shipyard along the Monongahela River, expanding its manufacturing capabilities and creating more than 150 new skilled jobs in Fayette County. The multi-year project represents the largest investment in the company's history and is welcome news for a community with deep roots in industry and river transportation.
The expansion will include new manufacturing facilities, advanced welding equipment, and improvements to the shipyard's infrastructure. Once completed, Heartland will have the capacity to manufacture up to 280 inland hopper barges annually, compared with its current capacity of 180. Construction and equipment installation will take place in phases through 2027, with the expanded production capability expected to be available in 2028.
For workers throughout Fayette County, one of the most exciting parts of the announcement is the opportunity for employment and career development. Heartland already employs approximately 410 skilled workers at its Brownsville facility and expects to add more than 150 positions, including welders, fabricators, machine operators, painters, crane operators, inspectors, and other skilled trades. The company also provides an eight-week, on-site training program for new hires, followed by opportunities for additional training and certification.
Heartland is one of only two manufacturers of inland hopper barges in the United States. Its barges are built using American-made steel, supporting not only local jobs but also steel mills and suppliers throughout the region. As the nation's aging barge fleet requires replacement, the Brownsville facility will be better positioned to meet that demand.
"This is the largest investment in the facility, equipment, and our workforce in the history of the Company," said Ted Stilgenbauer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Heartland Fabrication.
For Brownsville, the expansion represents another important chapter in its long history of industry and river transportation. For Fayette County as a whole, it means new career opportunities, continued investment in skilled trades, and a stronger manufacturing presence in the region. It's the kind of investment that can make a meaningful difference well beyond the community where it takes place.
