Dept. of Commerce: Governor Doyle awards tax credits to NELA

On January 28th, Governor Jim Doyle awarded NELA USA of River Falls, Wisconsin an economic development tax credit allocation totaling $108,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Secretary of Commerce Richard J. Leinenkugel made the tax credit award at NELA’s facility in the Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park. He presented an oversized, ceremonial check to company officials.

“To grow Wisconsin, we must continue to invest in our economy and foster technology growth, even during these difficult economic times,” Governor Doyle said. “NELA is one example of how these investments can help companies expand and purchase new equipment, which will help them continue to grow and prosper.”

“We are very thankful to the State of Wisconsin, the Governor and all of the parties that made the economic development tax credits possible,” stated David Klein, president of NELA’s operations in the United States. “We will use it to promote manufacturing employment in the River Falls-Hudson area. Additionally, we are very happy to have located in River Falls, as we believe it is a great community and environment in which to grow a business.”

NELA’s project includes the purchase and remodel of an existing 53,000 square foot production facility in Whitetail Ridge, estimated at $1.85 million. The project is expected to create 20 new jobs in Wisconsin along with the retention of over 60 jobs that were moved from NELA’s previous location in Oakdale, Minnesota.

Last July, NELA announced its relocation to River Falls. The company’s engineering, production, and customer service functions were moved to River Falls following the purchase and remodel of the facility at 610 Whitetail Boulevard.

NELA is a manufacturer of automated plates and register systems for commercial printers and newspapers. NELA is headquartered in Germany and their operations in River Falls will serve North and South America. NELA is the largest technologist and state-of-the art manufacturer of plate automation and register systems in the world. NELA’s systems have been installed at over 250 locations, including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Houston Chronicle, Dow Jones & Company, Zero Hora, and O Globo (both located in Brazil).

The January 28th tax credit announcement coincided with the company’s open house. Frank Neumeister, NELA’s general manager from Germany, traveled to River Falls for the open house and participated in the tax credit award presentation. David Klein serves as the president of NELA’s operations in the U.S.