GAINESVILLE- In a still- shaky economy, no one is taking a good job for granite.
Especially in a stone- working industry largely done in China.
It's the first Wednesday of the month... so as promised, we're featuring a local business in our "Made in America" segment.
Local businesses help the local economy and create local jobs.
TV20's Alex de Armas went on a search today and Alex found some good jobs that are set in stone.
Well after a viewer reached out to us...I was able to visit a local business that's making it's community not only look nicer but providing skilled jobs.
Gordon Weidler grew up in Gainesville-- and attended the University of Florida.
But after graduating…Weidler had to find work elsewhere.
It wasn't until years later when he got a call from Jackson Stoneworks.
"It was a great opportunity for me to find a job, move back to my home town and be able to live and work here," said Gordon Weidler, the National Account M for Jackson Stonework.
Jackson Stoneworks is a southeast Gainesville business that manufactures and installs custom granite, marble, and quartz counter tops.
It supplies cabinets, tile, sinks, faucets and custom glass.
"Our purpose is to offer a one stop shopping for builders and local home owners so they don't have to travel around to multiple locations trying to find things that they need," said Tyler Ryals, president for Jackson Stoneworks.
It's also one of four suppliers for more than 1700 Lowe's Home Improvement stores, nation wide.
The company owns Gainesville largest stone yard--with over 100 full size slabs.
Ryals and his dad started the business 13 years ago, here in Gainesville.
"We went from a small apartment that we started the business in, to a 30,000 square foot facility," said Ryals.
A facility that now houses the company's factory-- where the stone is cut, shaped and polished.
This work was done in China, but 6 years ago, this local business was able to insource the labor.
"Now that we've actually insource it to our factory in Gainesville, we are able to deliver nation wide in 10 to 14 days," said Weidler. "It also obviously adds a lot more jobs here rather than sending the jobs over seas."
They now provide about 30 local jobs.
This is something Weidler says his community makes possible.
"Gainesville, I feel is very tight knit community, said Weidler. "You see a lot of locally own restaurants businesses that thrive here because the actual people who live here care about the community and they want to put back into the community."
The owner of Jackson Stoneworks told me the company is involved in many community charities, they try to give back as much as possible.
Now if you know of any local business, reach out to me.
I'd love to check it out.
