News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today announced that $1.1 million in grants have been awarded to businesses and communities to aid in the growth and development of Ohio companies and the creation and retention of jobs. The grants, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, were approved today by the State Controlling Board and are expected to create 862 jobs and retain 1,074 positions.

"The State is pleased to assist companies and communities by ensuring they have the infrastructure and equipment necessary for successful business attraction and growth," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "These outstanding manufacturing, high-tech and specialized service companies present tremendous opportunities for job creation and economic growth in central and western Ohio."

Appleton Papers Inc. (Appleton), located in West Carrollton (Montgomery County), will receive a $100,000 Rapid Outreach grant (412) for costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and equipment for its paper producing operation. Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, the company has manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom. Appleton plans to expand its paper finishing operations with the acquisition of a new state-of-the-art paper winder and additional wrapping, handling, and packaging equipment for coated papers that are used for specialty displays and other design and print applications. The company plans to purchase more than $12 million in machinery and equipment. Additionally, the City of West Carrollton will receive a $200,000 Roadwork Development Grant (629) to complete public roadwork improvements in support of Appleton’s expansion. The City plans to relocate the public roadway entrance to the Appleton facility to allow for safer entry and exit to and from the facility. This $12.205 million project is expected to create 14 jobs and retain 410 positions within the first three years of the project’s initial operation.

Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority (DMCPA), located in Dayton (Montgomery County), will receive a $250,000 Rapid Outreach grant (412) for the costs associated with construction of a build-to-suit headquarters facility to be leased to CareSource Management Group (CareSource). CareSource is a non profit Medicaid managed, healthcare plan administrator, serving nearly 600,000 consumers in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The DMCPA will construct a 325,940 square-foot headquarters facility three blocks from CareSource’s current location in downtown Dayton. The DMCPA will own the headquarters building and will provide a long-term operating lease to CareSource. Ohio is in competition with Indiana for this more than $47 million project, which is expected to create 575 jobs and retain 650 positions within the first three years of the project’s initial operation.

Enterprise Information Management, Inc. (EIM), located in Dayton (Montgomery County), will receive a $200,000 Rapid Outreach grant (412) for the costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and equipment to support expansion of its existing facility. EIM is a veteran-owned small business that delivers complex business and information technology solutions to the U.S. Government for the Department of Defense, Military Services and civil agencies. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, EIM’s capabilities include enterprise transformation, acquisition management and information technology services. EIM proposes to expand its information management solutions business with the lease and renovation of 10,000 square-feet of office space in downtown Dayton, along with the purchase of machinery and equipment and furniture and fixtures. Ohio is in competition with Delaware, New Mexico, Virginia and Vancouver, Canada for this more than $1 million project, which is expected to create 150 jobs and retain two positions within the first three years of the project’s initial operation.

Neturen America Corporation (Neturen), located in Hamilton (Butler County), will receive a $50,000 Rapid Outreach grant (412) for the costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and equipment. Neturen is a newly-created joint venture between Neturen Co., Ltd. (Neturen Japan) and Metal One Corporation (Metal One), both headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The investment for this project will be made by Neturen USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neturen Japan. Neturen plans to construct a 70,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on approximately 10 acres for the production of induction tempered steel spring wire. Product will be sold primarily to Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive parts suppliers that produce suspension components. The $13.2 million in machinery and equipment to be purchased includes drawing systems machinery, heat treatment systems machinery, quality control equipment, and related equipment. Additionally, City of Hamilton, located in Butler County, will receive a $200,000 Roadwork Development Grant (629) to complete public roadway improvements in support of Neturen. The City of Hamilton plans to construct an approximately 1,200 lineal foot extension to Moser Court in the Hamilton Enterprise Park. The new public roadway will provide access to the site where Neturen will locate its facility as well as open additional acreage for future development. Ohio is in competition with Indiana and Kentucky for this project for this $4.85 million project, which is expected to create 26 jobs within the first three years of the project’s initial operation.

Zyvex Performance Materials, Inc. (Zyvex), located in Columbus (Franklin County), will receive a $100,000 Rapid Outreach grant (412) for costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and equipment to support expansion of its current facility. Zyvex is a leading nano-technology company, providing tools and instrumentation to the semi-conductor, research and education markets. In addition to being the first commercial molecular nanotechnology company, Zyvex was the first to provide carbon nanotube (CNT) powered products to the marketplace. Zyvex’s performance materials serve customers in the aerospace, defense, automotive, and energy markets while its patent technology has been incorporated with customers who are sporting goods manufacturer. Zyvex will expand its operations to accommodate the relocation of its headquarters and research and development operations from Texas to Ohio. The company plans to complete leasehold improvements to an existing 39,900 square-foot building that will be used for administration, research and development and limited manufacturing. The company will invest $2.3 million in machinery and equipment. Ohio is in competition with South Dakota and Texas for this project for this $2.3 million project, which is expected to create 97 jobs and retain 12 positions within the first three years of the project’s initial operation.

The Rapid Outreach Grant (412) is a grant program to assist companies and communities that are creating or retaining jobs in Ohio. The Roadwork Development Account (629) provides grant assistance to communities for highway and road projects related to job creation and retention. The 629 Program is funded with gas tax dollars and is restricted to public road projects only.

# # #

Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Maria Smith at (614) 466-2382