TAFT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
State Assistance Will Help Create Up To 415 Jobs for Ohioans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2004

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that more than $1.2 million in Business and Roadwork Development grants have been awarded to four firms and two communities in Ohio. The grants, administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), 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 up to 415 positions and retain 1,774 jobs over the next three years.

Haverhill North Coke Company (HNCC), to be located in Haverhill (Scioto County), will receive a $200,000 Business Development (412) grant to extend a rail spur for the company’s new metallurgical coke plant. HNCC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Coal & Coke Company, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sunoco, Inc. The new facility will include coal handling and transfer operations, coal storage piles, charging, heat recovery coke ovens, pushing, quenching, coke and breeze handling and processing and heat recovery steam generators. The new operation is expected to process 3.5 million tons of coal a year and produce 2.5 million tons of coke a year. The $135 million project is expected to create 64 jobs. The ODOD has also offered HNCC a $2 million 166 Direct Loan, a 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit valued at $828,300, and a $64,000 Ohio Investment in Training Program grant. Additionally, Scioto County Commissioners will receive a $50,000 Business Development (412) grant to extend a wastewater treatment line and a $150,000 Roadwork Development (629) grant to purchase and construct a traffic signal near the new plant.

Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc., located in Beach City (Tuscarawas County), will receive a $50,000 Business Development (412) grant to acquire machinery and equipment for an expansion project. The facility produces insulation designed to fit under exterior residential siding. Ohio was in competition with Mississippi for this more than $3 million project, which is expected to create 40 jobs and retain 82 positions. The State has also offered Progressive Foam a nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit valued at approximately $190,000.

Lear Corporation EEDS and Interiors, located in Zanesville (Muskingum County), will receive a $200,000 Business Development (412) grant to acquire machinery and equipment for an expansion project. Lear Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, focuses on integrating complete automotive interiors, including seat systems, interior trim and electrical systems. The Zanesville facility is a 465,000 square-foot manufacturing operation built in 1892, with its core products being automotive junction boxes, switches and electronics. Ohio was in competition with Michigan for the more than $41 million project, which is expected to create 222 jobs and retain 452 positions.

Swagelok Manufacturing Company, LLC, located in Solon (Cuyahoga County), will receive a $500,000 Business Development (412) grant to purchase machinery and equipment for its new order fulfillment center. Swagelok has operations located throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and produces a number of products that include tube fittings, needle valves and check valves, which are used in space suits; process instrumentation in the oil, chemical and power industries; and in gas systems supporting semiconductor manufacturing. The new facility will be adjacent to Swagelok’s existing manufacturing operation. Ohio was in competition with South Carolina, Virginia, Japan, Switzerland, and Isle of Man for this more than $29 million project, which is expected to create 29 jobs and retain 1,098 positions. The State has also committed an Ohio Investment in Training Program grant of up to $400,000 and a $300,000 Roadwork Development (629) grant to the City of Solon for infrastructure improvements to complete the new order fulfillment center.

The Village of Killbuck, located in Holmes County, will receive a $60,000 Roadwork Development (629) grant to defray the cost of roadwork improvement, pavement replacement and storm sewer improvements at Straits Industrial Park. Rhino Bedrooms, a furniture manufacturer, plans to construct a 20,000 square-foot warehouse addition to the existing manufacturing facility, which will create 50 full-time jobs and retain 117 positions at the site. Wilson Cabinet Company, a cabinet manufacturer, who also is planning an expansion of its facility, expects to create 10 full-time jobs and retain 25 positions. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $250,000.

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.