GUERNSEY COUNTY TO RECEIVE $321,200 FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Fed Ex Ground Package System, Inc. to Create 40 New Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that Guernsey County will receive a $321,200 grant to assist with an economic development project. The $5.2 million total project is expected to create 40 new jobs.

“We are pleased to assist Guernsey County as they promote the expansion of businesses in their community,” said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). “Ohio means business, and to that end we are committed to working with communities and companies to attract and retain good-paying jobs.”

The grant will be awarded through the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program, administered by the ODOD. Guernsey County will help Fed Ex Ground Package System, Inc. to expand operations in Cambridge.

Fed Ex will lease a 70,757 square-foot building, which will be built on 7.4 acres of land in the D.O. Hall Business Park. The CDBG Program funds will be used to install 980 linear feet of street improvements, 250 linear feet of water and sewer lines and 1,230 feet of gas and electric lines.

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.