TAFT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
State Assistance Will Help Create 454 Jobs for Ohioans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2004

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that $2.78 million in Business and Roadwork Development grants have been awarded to five firms and five communities. The grants were approved by the State Controlling Board, and are intended to assist in the growth and development of Ohio businesses and the creation and retention of jobs. These projects are expected to create 454 positions and retain 4,057 jobs over the next three years.

Steris Corporation, located in Mentor (Lake County), will receive a $50,000 Business Development (412) grant to defray the costs associated with the acquisition and installation of machinery and equipment for a proposed expansion, upgrade and renovation of the company’s existing world headquarters facility. The company performs research and new product development at the site. Steris has also received a 60 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for a 10-year term which is valued at more than $1 million for this $8.1 million project that is expected to create 74 jobs and retain 758 positions.

Additionally, the City of Mentor is recommended to receive a $113,600 Roadwork Development (629) grant defray the costs to install and place a traffic signal at Steris Corporation’s new entrance. The City has completed a traffic study and found that a traffic signal is warranted at this location because all traffic flow will be directed to the new entrance.

Noveon, Inc., located in Avon Lake (Lorain County), will receive a $50,000 Business Development grant to defray the costs associated with the acquisition and installation of machinery and equipment associated with the company’s planned expansion. Noveon is a global supplier of antioxidants for rubber, plastics and lubricants; accelerators for rubber; reactive liquid polymers for modifying thermoset resins; and other chemical additives for industrial use. This $4.4 million project is expected to create 12 jobs and retain 180 positions. Ohio was in competition with Massachusetts for this project.

Seapine Software, Inc., located in Mason (Warren County), will receive a $75,000 Business Development grant to defray the costs associated with the acquisition and installation of machinery and equipment at its new 15,000 square-foot facility. The company develops, sells and supports software development lifecycle management tools. Seapine Software also received a 60 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for a five-year term which is valued at $315,436 and a $75,000 Ohio Investment in Training Program grant for this $470,000 project, which is expected to create 45 jobs and retain 30 positions. Ohio was in competition with sites in Russia and South Africa for this project.

Convergys Corporation, located in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), will receive a $1.85 million Business Development grant to acquire and renovate its world corporate headquarters. Convergys is a global leader in integrated billing, customer care, employee care, and transaction management software services. The company strongly considered sites in Kentucky for this $104 million project, which is expected to create 195 jobs and retain 1,700 positions. Other state assistance awarded or being considered for this project include: a $6 million Direct Loan; a variable percent Job Creation Tax Credit for a 15-year term maximized at $6.3 million; a variable percent Job Retention Tax Credit for a 15-year term maximized at $56.6 million; and a $2.7 million Ohio Investment in Training Program grant.

L’Oreal USA, to be located in Streetsboro (Portage County), will receive a $50,000 Business Development grant to defray the costs to acquire and install new machinery and equipment for the company’s new 649,250 square-foot warehouse and distribution operation. The company plans to consolidate its warehouse distribution operations from Hebron, Kentucky to Streetsboro, Ohio and plans to relocate 190 jobs from its Solon, Ohio operation to the Streetsboro facility. L’Oreal distributes a professional line of hair care products to the salon industry throughout the U.S. This $9.5 million project is expected to create 66 jobs and retain 190 positions.

Pittsburgh Plate Glass (P.P.G.), located in Scioto Township (Ross County), will benefit from a $30,000 Roadwork Development grant that was awarded to the Ross County Board of Commissioners. The funds will be used to repair and improve a railroad crossing at the entrance to the P.P.G. Industries plant. Due to the rough railroad crossing and road conditions, Pittsburgh Plate Glass trucks have suffered glass breakage. This will prevent further losses by P.P.G. and help secure their economic viability in the community. As a result of this more than $55,000 project, an estimated 210 jobs will be retained at the project site.

Suburban Steel Supply Company, located in Gahanna (Franklin County), will benefit from a $200,000 Roadwork Development grant that was awarded to the City of Gahanna. The funds will be used to assist in the construction of 1,000 lineal feet of new roadway and intersection improvements related to the relocation and expansion of the company’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations. The intersection improvements are directly related to traffic using Suburban’s primary access road at EastGate Parkway within Gahanna’s EastGate Parkway. Suburban manufactures and distributes several steel fabricated products to construction industry customers in a multi-state region. The $5.1 million project is expected to create 30 jobs retain 70 positions at the project site.

Village of Orwell, located in Ashtabula County, will receive a $132,000 Roadwork Development grant for infrastructure improvement costs at the Orwell Industrial Park that will allow existing and prospective employers at the Park to expand. The area surrounding the intersection of State Route 45 and Grand Valley Avenue is in need of roadway improvements to accommodate significant increases in traffic volume associated with the industrial and other business development. Roadwork improvements include the addition of turn lanes and traffic signals, as well as related design and engineering fees. An estimated 839 jobs will be retained at the project site as a result of this $1.35 million project.

Lincoln Electric, located in Euclid (Cuyahoga County), will benefit from a $235,000 Roadwork Development grant that has been awarded to the City of Euclid. The funds will be used to expand and widen 1,275 linear feet of roadway at the intersection of East 222nd Street and St. Clair Avenue to accommodate Lincoln Electric. Lincoln Electric will relocate its corporate distribution center from Mentor to Euclid. Lincoln Electric is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. Ohio was in competition with Illinois for this $463,813 project that is expected to create 32 jobs and retain 80 positions.

The Business Development Account (412) is a grant program to assist companies and communities that are creating or retaining jobs with the necessary infrastructure improvements needed to ensure a project moves forward. The Roadwork Development Account (629) provides grant assistance to communities for highway and road projects related to job creation and retention. The 629 Program is funded with gas tax dollars and is restricted to public road projects only. Funding through both projects is contingent upon State Controlling Board approval.