CITY OF DELAWARE AWARDED $265,000 GRANT TO ASSIST ENGINEERED MATERIAL SYSTEMS WITH EXPANSION PROJECT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that the City of Delaware (Delaware County) has been awarded a $265,000 grant to assist Engineered Materials Systems, Inc. (EMS) with an expansion project. The $1 million project is expected to create 12 jobs.

“This assistance will have a positive, economic impact on the City of Delaware and will allow Engineered Material Systems go forward with its expansion,” said Johnson, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The State is committed to providing assistance to Ohio communities so that companies can expand, providing good jobs for Ohio’s workforce.”

The grant will be awarded through the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Development.

EMS, Inc. produces adhesives and products using polymer technology for advanced radio frequency identification tags. The company's clients represent the appliance, automobile, lighting and microelectronics industries. EMS, Inc. will acquire land adjacent to its headquarters, located on Johnson Road, and construct a 12,000 square-foot facility. With the grant funds, the company plans to purchase machinery and equipment to meet an increase in customer demand.

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.