FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today presented Ottawa County officials with $400,000 from the Industrial Site Improvement Fund (ISIF), a program to improve qualified commercial and industrial areas for future development. The County plans to use the funds to extend sanitary sewer service from Port Clinton to the Lake Erie Business Park, which will enable companies located within the park to expand operations, creating 150 jobs, with the potential of another 400 jobs being created in the future.

"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 Ottawa County to further develop the Lake Erie Business Park, which has the potential to attract significant business investments that will provide new growth opportunities and bring good jobs to the area."

Ottawa County will invest approximately $3.8 million to extend sanitary sewer service and a waterline to the Lake Erie Business Park, a 470-acre former military depot located on Lake Erie, which includes approximately 220 acres of land available for future development. The project will fully connect the park to the Ottawa County Water and Sewer Districts and will allow for the retention and expansion of four companies currently located within the park.

This project will address a critical community need by providing adequate and secure water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment systems for existing companies. These improvements will meet current needs and future demands, as well as enhance the community's ability to attract new businesses to the park. Three firms located within the park have also proposed future expansion, they include: Fenner Dunlop; Ares, Inc.; and SLiPS Lubricants LLC.

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 a county's distress level, a project's feasibility and implementation plan, local and private financial participation and the economic and community impact of the project.