CITY OF BRYAN AND CARROLL COUNTY TO RECEIVE GRANTS TOTALING $610,000 FOR TWO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION PROJECTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that the City of Bryan, in Williams County, and Carroll County will receive grants totaling $610,000 for economic development expansion projects. The grants will be awarded through the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Housing and Community Partnerships.

“This assistance will have a positive, economic impact on the City of Bryan and Carroll County,” said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The State is committed to providing assistance to Ohio communities so companies can expand in order to help attract and retain good-paying jobs.”

The City of Bryan will receive a $325,000 grant to help A-Stamp Industries, Inc. expand operations. A-Stamp Industries produces metal stampings and assemblies for the automotive industry. The company will use the CDBG funds to purchase machinery and equipment to meet an increase in its customers' demands. The $1.2 million project will create approximately 25 jobs.

Carroll County will receive a $285,000 grant to help Colfor Manufacturing, Inc. with an expansion project. Colfor Manufacturing produces cold and warm precision-machined forgings for the automotive and trucking industry. The company, located in the City of Minerva, will add a 60,000 square-foot addition to its current facility and purchase additional machinery and equipment. The CDBG funds will be used to complete 600 linear feet of street improvements and 1,210 linear feet of flood and drainage improvements. The $62.9 million project is expected to create 100 jobs.

The CDBG Economic Development Program provides funding for economic development projects that create and/or retain permanent, private-sector job opportunities. The grants enable local governments to provide public improvements directly related to business development and financial assistance to private entities for economic development projects. Jobs created through the program must benefit primarily low- and moderate-income Ohioans.