TAFT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
State Assistance Will Help Create 104 Jobs for Ohioans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2004

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that $463,000 in Business and Roadwork Development grants have been awarded to two firms and two 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 104 positions and retain 511 jobs over the next three years.

Sensus, LLC, located in Hamilton (Butler County), will receive a $50,000 Business Development (412) grant to purchase machinery and equipment. The company manufactures premium quality natural flavor ingredients that are sold to consumer food and beverage companies, food service industries and the flavor industry. Sensus plans to relocate from its West Chester, Ohio facility and construct a 25,000 square-foot manufacturing operation in the Hamilton Enterprise Park. Additionally, the company will benefit from a $13,000 Roadwork Development (629) grant that has been awarded to the City of Hamilton for infrastructure and roadway improvements on Hamilton Enterprise Park Drive. Ohio was in competition with California for this $2.7 million project, which is expected to create 25 jobs and retain six positions at the project site within the first three years of operation. Sensus has also been awarded a 50 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for an eight-year term, which is valued at $119,659 over the term; a $1 million Direct Loan; and an Ohio Investment in Training Program grant of up to $20,000.

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, located in Marysville (Union County), will receive a $150,000 Business Development (412) grant to expand operations. Headquartered in Akron, Goodyear is a worldwide supplier of a wide array of rubber products. The company will transfer equipment and operations from its Bowmanville, Canada facility to the 384,000 square-foot Engineered Products Division in Marysville, and will spend more than $1.2 million to install and upgrade the equipment that is used to manufacture industrial conveyor belts. Additionally, Goodyear will receive a $20,000 Ohio Investment in Training Program grant for this project, which is expected to create 20 jobs and retain 233 positions within the first three years of operation.

Village of Glenwillow, located in Cuyahoga County, will receive a $250,000 Roadwork Development (629) grant to assist with improvements to 2,200 linear feet of roadway on Bond Street Industrial Park Road. Currently, there are 15 companies in the Bond Street Industrial Park that have a combined employment of 272. This $697,000 project will widen the existing roadway and provide curbs and storm water drainage for existing businesses. As a result of this project, it is expected that the companies within the industrial park will create approximately 59 jobs.

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.