FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that Putnam County has been awarded $100,000 from the Industrial Site Improvement Fund (ISIF), which provides grants to improve qualified commercial and industrial areas. The funds will be used for infrastructure improvements to a 60-acre industrial park, located in Monroe Township, and will support the expansion of existing businesses and create much-needed development-ready land in Putnam County.

"I'm pleased that the ISIF is making it possible for Ohio communities and businesses to create new infrastructure, and to upgrade existing facilities for future job creation," said Johnson, who also serves as state development director. "This funding will enable Putnam County to create the infrastructure necessary to attract significant business investments that will provide new growth opportunities and bring good jobs to the area."

Putnam County will invest approximately $1.6 million for infrastructure improvements to the industrial park site, which houses the operations of two firms, Socar of Ohio and Continental Turf. The site also includes 26.2 acres of undeveloped land with the potential for new development. Construction will include road improvements, extension of water and sanitary sewer lines and a rail spur off of Norfolk Southern Railroad. Improvements to County Road E-16 will allow greater access to the site and facilitate increased traffic for the two existing businesses. The extension of water and sanitary sewer service throughout the site and to Township Road 22 will support future development of industrial and manufacturing operations. The community rail spur is intended to increase the marketability of the site for future manufacturing development.

The County will also hold an option on 20-acres of adjacent land to maintain an inventory of available development-ready sites in the community. The site will be managed and marketed by the local county economic development office and the Continental Community Improvement Corporation.

The ISIF is a reimbursement grant program that provides up to $500,000 in assistance to eligible Ohio counties for the purpose of improving qualified commercial and industrial areas. The proposed project site must be used primarily for commercial or industrial activities, and funding can be used for commercial and/or industrial land and building acquisition; public and/or private infrastructure improvements; expansion and/or renovation of existing buildings; and environmental remediation.

ISIF applications are evaluated based on the county's distress level, the project's feasibility and implementation plan, local and private financial participation and the economic and community impact of the project.