Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Don Uelmen, Department of Transportation, 608-266-3488
Project to Help Create 123 Jobs
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that a $240,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant has been awarded to the city of Ladysmith in Rusk County. The award provides the state’s contribution toward helping Rockwell Automation expand its existing facility in Ladysmith and directly and indirectly create 123 jobs in the community.
“Investing in quality transportation is vital for businesses that are looking to expand in Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “By providing these funds, we are bringing quality jobs to Wisconsin while improving road access to Rockwell Automation’s expanded facility.”
The $240,000 grant covers half of the cost of designing and reconstructing Doughty Road, an existing street in Ladysmith’s south side Meadowbrook Industrial Park. The street will improve access to the firm’s expanded facilities. The city of Ladysmith is contributing $242,000 to meet the local matching fund requirements of the program. The transportation improvement project has a total cost of $482,000.
Rockwell Automation is investing $1.2 million to construct a 15,000 square-foot addition to its existing facilities. The firm designs and manufactures electromechanical products, including relays, industrial controls and control systems. It’s the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information and has plants located throughout the world. As a result of the expansion, nearly $5.3 million in annual wages will be created in Wisconsin.
Since it was created in 1987, the TEA grant program has invested more than $82 million in 303 projects benefiting 329 businesses and creating 71,125 jobs in Wisconsin.
