FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that the Ohio Tax Credit Authority has approved Job Creation Tax Credits for businesses involved in location or expansion projects that, if located in Ohio, are expected to create at least 1,242 jobs, and retain 1,144 positions for Ohioans.

"Job creation is instrumental to growing our state's economy across all sectors," said Lt. Governor Fisher who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Today's proposed investments will make valuable contributions to the growth and stability of these communities and we are pleased to team with each business as they plan for their future in Ohio."

Quality Machining & Manufacturing, Inc. (Quality Machining), to be located in the Village of Sherwood (Defiance County), has been awarded a 35 percent credit for a five year term to establish a new facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $35,574 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years. Established in 1993, Quality Machining is a small, privately owned company currently headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana with a staff of ten. The company manufactures approximately 2,400 varieties of hydraulic adapters and parts and ships products to more than 70 customers in the United States and Canada. The company proposes to invest in machinery and equipment as well acquire and renovate an existing 20,000 square-foot building and construct a new 1,920 square-foot addition at the site in the Sherwood Industrial Park. The new facility will be used to manufacture hydraulic couplers and connectors. Ohio is in competition with Indiana for this $684,000 project, which is expected to create 30 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

CKS Solutions, Incorporated (CKS), to be located in Batavia (Clermont County), has been awarded a 30 percent credit for a five-year term for a new start-up facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $47,629 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years. CKS is a private company that was started in 2007. The company is a start-up that is focusing on the high-technology industry sector and will initially begin to receive, repair and re-manufacture plasma display circuit boards. The company plans to move into next-generation plasma panel remanufacturing and may focus on developing display technologies such as OLED as well. CKS currently employs one individual. The company proposes to invest in machinery and equipment and lease an existing 73,000 square foot facility that will be utilized for product assembly and warehousing. Ohio is in competition with multiple states for this $864,000 project, which is expected to create 44 jobs and retain one position within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Xunlight Corporation, located in Toledo (Lucas County), has been awarded a 55 percent credit for a seven year term to expand its current facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $1,015,329 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years. Xunlight was founded in 2002 to commercialize technologies related to innovative and effective photovoltaic generation. Originally known as MWOE Solar, the company focuses on thin film photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing and applications and plans to incorporate next generation PV technologies developed by the company and its academic partner, the Thin Film Silicon Photovoltaic Laboratory at the University of Toledo. The company proposes to expand its current facility and purchase new machinery and equipment to support the increased production of the company's thin-film silicon-based photovoltaic products and manufacturing equipment for high-throughput production of flexible and lightweight photovoltaic modules. The facility will be utilized for research and development and manufacturing of PV technologies, including two, 10, 40 and 100 megawatt lines. Ohio is in competition with several other states and countries for this $5 million project, which is expected to create 280 jobs and retain 30 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions ("CBTS"), located in Lebanon (Warren County), has been awarded a 40 percent credit for a five-year term to expand its current facility with a continuously available data center and IT managed services. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $123,533 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years. Cincinnati Bell is a public company that was started in 1873. CBTS, a subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell, helps companies face next-generation technology initiatives involving data center services to support SMB and enterprise computing, massive data storage, "24x7" uptime requirements, disaster recovery, corporate security, and other information technology provisions. CBTS customers leverage the company's state-of-the-art data centers, connected directly to a coast-to-coast fiber optic network. CBTS also provides IT managed services and monitoring through their Enterprise Network Operations Center that offers around-the-clock IT management services and device monitoring tools to ensure system availability and security. The company proposes to acquire land, purchase an existing 227,000 square foot building and invest in new machinery and equipment for a new data center facility. Ohio is in competition with the Tri-State region for this $56 million project, which is expected to create 35 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

F & M Mafco, Inc. (F & M), located in Harrison (Hamilton County), has been awarded a 40 percent credit for a five year term to expand operations. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $50,278 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years. F & M, started in 1945, is a construction supply and equipment business with a focus on servicing heavy mechanical contractors in the power generation, petrochemical, construction, and maintenance industries. The company provides its customers with heavy rigging packages, cranes, parts, on-site tooling, welding systems and other unique items that are difficult to find from a single provider. F & M will sell, rent, repair, and recondition tools and equipment. F & M is headquartered in Harrison and has seven branches in the United States, as well as four international locations. The company proposes to purchase an existing 48,000 square foot facility adjacent to the company's headquarters that will be utilized for product assembly and warehousing. Ohio is in competition with Oklahoma for this $2.7 million project, which is expected to create 28 jobs and retain 198 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Laurel Grocery Company (Laurel), located in Dennison (Tuscarawas County), has been awarded a 50 percent credit for a five-year term to expand operations. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $354,756 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years. Laurel is an alternative full-line wholesaler for independent retail grocery businesses. Laurel supports and helps grow their independent retail grocery customer base by offering a complete line of products and services. The privately-owned company distributes to grocery retailers in the States of Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The company proposes to purchase machinery and equipment and expand its current distribution facility. Laurel will add a large refrigeration building to an existing 270,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center. The new 40,000 square foot facility will enable the company to expand its frozen and refrigerated goods customer base. Ohio is in competition with other sites in the Midwest for this $3.1 million project, which is expected to create 250 jobs and retain 35 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

NewPage Corporation (NewPage), located in Miami Township (Montgomery County), has been awarded a 65 percent credit for a ten year term to expand its corporate headquarters. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $3,943,485 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 20 years. NewPage started operating in the paper manufacturing industry in May of 2005 when it purchased MeadWestvaco's coated and carbonless papers group. Coated paper is used primarily in media and marketing applications, including corporate annual reports, high-end advertising brochures, magazines, books and catalogues. In April 2006, NewPage sold its carbonless paper business to P.H. Glatfelter. In December 2007, NewPage acquired Stora Enso Oyj's North American paper operations. The company proposes to invest in furniture and fixtures and construct an addition to its existing corporate headquarters building in order to increase operating capacity. The expanded facility will be used as its corporate headquarters operation. This $4.6 million project is expected to create 175 jobs and retain 280 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Next Specialty Resins, Inc. (NSR), to be located in Sylvania Township (Lucas County), has been awarded a 40 percent credit for a six year term to establish a new facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $53,869 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 12 years. A privately-held company, NSR was founded in 1996 as a manufacturer and distributor of thermoplastic resins used in the automotive, furniture, hand tools and other industries. NSR will focus on the three areas of manufacturing of finished plastic materials: finished products through value addition; sales; and distribution. Headquartered in Addison, Michigan, NSR employs approximately 35 people. The company proposes to install new machinery and equipment, acquire land, and purchase and renovate a building that will be used to expand the company's laboratory facilities for full material characterization and testing, and to add new blending capacity. Ohio is in competition with Michigan for this more than $3.5 million project, which is expected to create 25 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Rotek Incorporated (Rotek), located in Aurora (Portage County), has been awarded a 65 percent credit for a seven year term to expand its headquarters operations. If the Company chooses to expand in Aurora, the value of the tax credit is estimated at $1,131,499 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years. Rotek is a German company that has been in business since 1962 and has more than 350 employees in the United States. Rotek is a subsidiary of publicly-traded ThyssenKrupp and is a world leader in the engineering, manufacture, service, and support of large diameter anti-friction slewing ring bearings used primarily in power generation, medical and construction applications. Rotek also manufactures seamless rolled rings in various grades of steel and aluminum. The proposed project includes the expansion of the slewing ring bearing and seamless rolled ring production lines. Ohio is in competition with Kentucky for this project, which, if located in Ohio, is expected to create 150 jobs and retain 215 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Scott Process Systems, Inc. (Scott Process), located in Hartville (Stark County), has been awarded a 40 percent credit for a five year term to expand its corporate headquarters. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $100,780 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years. Scott Process was founded in 1983 and initially fabricated and installed piping in industrial and chemical plants. In 1989, the company obtained Association of Small and Medium Enterprises certification and shifted away from construction into fabrication, and gradually changed focus to steam piping for electric utility plants. Since 2002, 90 percent of the company's business supports electrical utilities. As of December 31, 2007, the company had approximately 150 employees. The company proposes to purchase machinery and equipment and construct an 110,000 square foot manufacturing facility to fabricate piping systems for the power generation industry. Ohio is in competition with Georgia and Texas for this $12.7 million project, which is expected to create 50 positions and retain 150 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Sigma US Industries, Inc. (Sigma US), located in Jefferson (Ashtabula County), has been awarded a 50 percent credit for a seven year term to expand its corporate headquarters. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $422,115 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years. Sigma Industries Inc., formerly-known-as Sigma Ventures, was originally established in Canada and is a consolidator of plastic composite (pulltrusion, injection, SMC, robotized RTM, RIM, open) and metal manufacturers that services the transportation (truck, coach, transit bus, train/metro), machinery, agriculture, light forestry and alternative energy markets. Sigma Industries Inc. established Sigma US Industries Inc. in March 2007 and plans to acquire Pickens Plastic, a fabricator of specialized-fiber, reinforced plastic and other fiberglass and composite products. The company proposes to acquire both Pickens Plastics facilities in the Village of Jefferson and the City of Ashtabula. The company would purchase the assets of the company, including approximately 15 acres of land, a 50,000 square feet facility in Ashtabula, a 139,000 square foot building in Village of Jefferson, and machinery and equipment. Sigma US would expand the existing facility in the Village of Jefferson to accommodate growth in manufacturing. Ohio is in competition with Minnesota for this more than $10.2 million project, which is expected to create 145 positions and retain 85 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Transfer Express, Inc. (Transfer Express), located in Mentor (Lake County), has been awarded a 30 percent credit for a six year term to establish a new headquarters operation. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $29,455 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 12 years. Headquartered in Mentor, Transfer Express manufactures custom, heat-applied, garment transfers known as Easy Prints. Transfer Express sells its Easy Prints to athletic apparel dealers, T-shirt retailers, and many other novelty apparel merchants. On March 31, 2004, Transfer Express became one of seventeen wholly owned subsidiaries of Groupe Stahl, a transaction that provided Transfer Express with access to the world wide market through Groupe Stahl's global subsidiaries in the garment decorating industry. The company proposes to purchase new machinery and equipment and purchase and renovate an existing 114,700 square foot facility for its new headquarters. The facility will be used for the manufacturing and back-office support needed for the production of garment transfers. Ohio is in competition with Michigan and Pennsylvania for this more than $8.1 million project, which is expected to create 30 positions and retain 150 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

The Job Creation Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit against the business corporate franchise or income tax. The credit equals a percentage of new state income tax withheld on new, full-time employees in Ohio. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority is a five-member independent board consisting of taxation and economic development professionals from throughout the State that is responsible for reviewing and approving applications for state tax credit assistance. The Authority also has oversight responsibilities that include monitoring and reporting the progress of approved tax credit projects.

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Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133