I’m stumped.

The project is code named Compete SC by the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce. The company is seeking money from the Buchanan County economic development fund, but has requested anonymity for the time being.

The unnamed company plans to build a $7 million expansion to its St. Joseph manufacturing facility. The expansion would create eight new jobs, with four next year and four in 2010.

At first, I thought the company must be Nestle Purina, but I asked one official if this company produced pet food and the answer was no.

The starting hourly rate is $14.50 ($31,668 annually based on 2,184 hours) with a tier wage structure at $18.50 to $19 an hour at the start of the fifth year of employment depending upon when (and if) the project commences, according to information from the Chamber.

With those wages, I wonder if the jobs are in the animal health field.

The company had a previous expansion and tried to add other product lines recently, but was not successful in that bid.

I’m still trying to figure out what it is.

The Chamber also noted that its recruiting is focusing on high paying jobs. For the last five years, new jobs created paid an average salary of $24,000. For 2008, the average for 50 jobs so far is $44,000.