TAFT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
State Assistance Will Help Create More than 2,500 Jobs for Ohioans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that $3.97 million in Business and Roadwork Development grants have been awarded to four companies and nine 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 2,504 jobs and retain 1,095 positions.

Lab One of Ohio, Inc., located in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), will receive a $500,000 Business Development Grant to acquire laboratory processing equipment, information system servers and support equipment necessary for the expansion of the company’s medical laboratory testing operation. Lab One was created to hold the assets and conduct the business activities of the acquired Health Alliance Laboratory of Greater Cincinnati, a medical laboratory operated by a not-for-profit association of hospitals. Ohio was in competition with Kentucky and several other states for this $18.4 million project, which is expected to create 400 jobs and retain 562 positions.

Haden Environmental Corp., to be located in Toledo (Lucas County), will receive a $250,000 Business Development Grant to construct a new facility that will be located adjacent to the proposed DaimlerChrysler plant. Haden provides technical environmental services to automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) and Tier 1 automotive suppliers. This $143.8 million project is expected to create 173 jobs within the first three years of operation.

Licking County will receive a $40,000 Business Development Grant to install a water and sewer line that will serve Screen Machine, a division of Ohio Central Steel Company, located in Etna. Screen Machine is a manufacturer of portable screening plants and crushing plants used in the mining, construction and landscaping industries and is planning to expand its current facility. This project is expected to create 25 jobs and retain 39 positions.

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., located in St. Clair Township (Butler County), will receive an $80,000 Business Development Grant to upgrade machinery and equipment located at the company’s existing wastewater treatment facility. Advanced Drainage Systems is an international manufacturer of polyethylene drainage pipes. Ohio was in competition with Kentucky for this more than $5.6 million project, which is expected to create 22 jobs and retain 195 positions.

Defiance County Commissioners will receive a $50,000 Business Development Grant to install rail-related infrastructure necessary for Standridge Color Corporation’s expansion project. Standridge Color Corporation is manufacturer of color concentrates and compound markets. This more than $1.49 million project is expected to create 20 jobs.

L.P Investment Company, to be located in Columbus Grove (Putnam County), will receive a $200,000 Business Development Grant to acquire new machinery and equipment for the company’s proposed automotive assembling facility. In addition, The Village of Columbus Grove will receive a $560,000 Roadwork Development Grant to construct a 3,200 linear-foot roadway necessary for the company’s operation within the village’s industrial park. L.P. Investment Company will be a tier-one supplier to the automotive industry. The main product for this facility will be an assembled internal body side for a Ford passenger vehicle and the floor plan for the Ford Expedition. This more than $23.3 million project is expected to create 150 jobs.

Darke County will receive a $150,000 Roadwork Development Grant to widen and upgrade Ross Medford Road between McFeeley-Petry Road and State Route 705. The roadway improvements are necessary for the Fort Recovery expansion project located in Greenville. Fort Recovery is a cooperative involved with the production and processing of shell eggs. This $1.75 million project is expected to create 26 jobs and retain 163 positions.

The City of Wooster, located in Wayne County, will receive $800,000 from the Research Park Roadwork Infrastructure Assistance Fund to make roadwork improvements for Techni Graphic Systems’ new 25,000 square-foot facilities, to be located within the city’s Technology Park. This more than $2 million project is expected to create 100 jobs and retain 71 positions.

Village of West Union, located in Adams County, will receive a $40,000 Roadwork Development Grant to install a traffic light along State Route 41, which will accommodate the new Columbus Industries facility located within the West Union Industrial Park. Ohio was in competition with Mexico, Tunisia, China and South Carolina for the new facility. This nearly $100,000 project is expected to create 40 jobs and retain 29 positions.

The City of Fairborn, located in Greene County, will receive $600,000 from the Research Park Roadwork Infrastructure Assistance Fund to assist with the extension of Commerce Park Boulevard to Garland Avenue in the Valle Greene North Business Park, which is located east of 1-675. The 325-acre Valle Greene North Business Park is owned and managed by the Valle Greene North Associates, Ltd., a member of the Oberer Family of Companies, a private development and construction company. This more than $2 million project is expected to create 1,423 jobs due to the increase in development-ready land in the area.

The Village of Leipsic, located in Putnam County, will receive a $200,000 Roadwork Development grant to make improvements to County Road 5 north of State Route 65 within the Village of Leipsic. The roadway improvements will support the IAMS Company’s 150,000 square-foot warehouse expansion. The IAMS Company is owned by Procter and Gamble and produces quality pet foods. This more than $7.1 million project is expected to create 25 jobs and retain 136 positions.

The City of Bowling Green, located in Wood County, will receive $500,000 from the Research Park Roadwork Assistance Fund to make improvements to 4,750 linear feet of roadway from the intersection of Napoleon and Dunbridge Roads (east of I-75), to Entry Drive at the Innovative Technology Park. The City of Bowling Green, in partnership with the Bowling Green Community Development Foundation, is proposing the development of a 58-acre Innovative Technology Park. This more than $1.25 million project is expected to create 100 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. The Research Park Roadwork Infrastructure Assistance Fund provides funding to local communities for the construction of publicly dedicated roadways for business development purposes.