FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 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 334 jobs, and retain 503 positions for Ohioans.

"These five projects could bring more than $28 million in total investment in Ohio and help drive the local economies in communities in central, southern, and northeast Ohio," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I look forward to the opportunities that will be created through support of these businesses, and anticipate working together in the future as they grow."

International Diversified Funding, Inc., to be located in Columbus (Franklin County), has been awarded a 35 percent credit for a five year term to relocate and expand. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $146,424 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for ten years. International Diversified was incorporated in March 1998 and works with businesses and consumers dealing with financial difficulties. Specifically, International Diversified negotiates with its clients' creditors for more favorable repayment terms. The company's goal is to assess and resolve customers' financial needs as quickly as possible. The company proposes to purchase hardware and equipment, and lease and renovate an 18,000 square-foot facility. Ohio is in competition with Nevada for this $333,380 project, which is expected to create 102 positions and retain 48 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Chatham Steel Corporation, to be located in Hanging Rock (Lawrence County), has been awarded a 55 percent credit for a six year term to establish a new facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $303,394 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 12 years. Chatham was founded in 1915 as a scrap iron and metal business. The company employs 333, and has divisions located predominantly in the South. In 1998, Chatham became a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company, which is publicly held. The company proposes to purchase machinery and equipment and construct a new 70,000 square-foot facility with the ability to expand to a total of 140,000 square feet. The facility will be used to distribute steel, which will be delivered to the facility primarily via rail, and shipped out via truck. Ohio is in competition with Kentucky and West Virginia for this $6.3 million project, which is expected to create 50 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

CCL Auto-Sleeve (CCL) has been awarded a 45% credit for a six year term to consider relocating and expanding its business in Stow (Summit County). The value of the tax credit is estimated at $141,513 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 12 years. CCL manufactures pressure sensitive, shrink sleeve, and in-mould labels, aluminum containers and plastic tubes. These specialty packaging solutions are provided to global producers of consumer brands in the home and personal care, healthcare, and specialty food and beverage sectors. With headquarters in Toronto, Canada, CCL employs approximately 5,500 people and operates 56 production facilities in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The company proposes to purchase machinery and equipment and construct a 57,000 square-foot facility for the manufacture of stretch sleeve labels. The plant will be a state-of-the-art flexographic printing facility modeled after the Austrian production line and current CCL office design. Ohio is in competition with South Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky for this $13.5 million project, which is expected to create 52 positions and retain 11 jobs within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Express, LLC & Express Holding, LLC (Express), located in Columbus (Franklin County), has been awarded a 60 percent credit for an eight-year term to expand its headquarters. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $1,073,330 over the term. Express focuses on fashion design and manufacturing for women and men and is one of the ten largest specialty retailers in the United States. Express operations include more than 570 retail outlets in the United States and more than 20,000 associates nationally. The Express brand was first launched in 1980 in Chicago as Limited Express, by Limited Brands, Inc. Express operated under Limited Brands until July 2007 when Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, purchased a majority interest in the company. Expecting continued growth from Express, Limited Brands maintains minority ownership. The company proposes to purchase new office equipment and invest at its 175,057 square-foot headquarters located within the Limited Brands complex. Ohio is in competition with the company's existing corporate offices in New York. The estimated $7.9 million project is expected to create 120 corporate positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations and retain 368 jobs.

Norandex Distribution, Inc. (Norandex), located in Hudson (Summit County), has been awarded a 45 percent credit for a five-year term to relocate and expand operations. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $59,686 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for ten years. Norandex is a wholly owned private subsidiary of the Saint-Gobain Corporation. Norandex has been in business for over 80 years and was acquired by Saint-Gobain in 2007. The company specializes in the distribution of quality exterior siding, accents, windows and doors. Norandex is currently headquartered in Macedonia and has 1,312 employees worldwide. The company proposes to relocate Norandex's operations to Hudson and make building upgrades to a leased 34,000 square-feet facility for headquarters operations. Ohio is in competition with Pennsylvania for this $595,000 project, which is expected to create ten positions and retain 75 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 Vince at (614) 466-6619 or Kimber Perfect at (614) 466-2609