OHIO TO MAKE BID ON $500 MILLION GM PROJECT
Lt. Governor promises aggressive pursuit of Toledo transmission project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Pledging an aggressive economic development effort, Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today welcomed news that Toledo was among three locations being considered by General Motors Corp. for a $500 million project to build fuel efficient transmissions.

“I am pleased Toledo is on the short list of potential sites for GM and pledge that the State of Ohio will aggressively pursue this project on behalf of the GM Powertrain workers in Northwest Ohio,” said Johnson. “I am confident that GM’s business case will show that Ohio’s location, infrastructure and superb workforce, coupled with Ohio’s new pro-business tax system make Toledo the premiere location for this transmission project.”

Johnson noted that Ohio officials have been in contact with GM on this project and are currently determining the company’s exact needs in order to develop an aggressive incentive package. While declining to offer details in order to protect competitiveness, Johnson said such incentive packages can include grants for worker training, infrastructure and business development, as well as tax credits and financing assistance. He also stated that the Ohio Department of Development will work to determine how Governor Bob Taft’s proposed Automotive Revitalization Strategy may positively impact the project. That plan utilizes a number of incentives to help restore competitiveness to the state’s auto industry.