Dept. of Commerce: Governor Doyle announces $700,000 brownfields grant to city of Neenah project to create 75 jobs

Contacts: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the City of Neenah Community Development Authority has received a $700,000 Blight Elimination and Brownfield Redevelopment (BEBR) grant from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to help redevelop an unoccupied and underutilized property.

“This funding will not only revitalize local brownfields, but will also help create and retain jobs and leverage private investment,” Governor Doyle said. “I am pleased to work with the City of Neenah and Plexus Corp. on this important project.”

“The Glatfelter Mill Redevelopment Project will transform a blighted industrial property into an economically vibrant, waterfront commercial and mixed-use center,” said Neenah Mayor George Scherck. “I appreciate the support from Commerce for this major public-private partnership project.”

“The construction of our corporate headquarters in Downtown Neenah is a key measure of our commitment to the community and the Glatfelter Mill Redevelopment Project,” said Ginger Jones, VP and Chief Financial Officer of Plexus. “We are excited about the positive, long-lasting impact that the redevelopment project will provide for Downtown Neenah, our employees and community members.”

Plexus Corp. is a global participant in the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry, providing product design, supply chain and materials management, manufacturing, test, fulfillment and aftermarket solutions to branded product companies in the Wireline/Networking, Wireless Infrastructure, Medical, Industrial/Commercial and Defense/Security/Aerospace market sectors. Plexus will construct a 104,000-sq.-ft. headquarters at a total cost of $16 million on the former Glatfelter Mill site. The new building will consolidate employees formerly located in five buildings in the Neenah area. BEBR grant funds will be used for the excavation and capping of ash waste fill. The balance of the infrastructure costs funded by the grant will include sewer work, power line relocation, storm water management, and street reconstruction. The City’s Community Development Authority is providing $8.7 million toward land acquisition, remediation, demolition and infrastructure costs. The project will create 75 jobs.

For more information about the BEBR Program, contact Al Rabin, Commerce, at 608/267-8926.