Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Waukesha Company Will Create 46 New Jobs
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Walter USA, Inc. of Waukesha will receive $300,000 in state economic development tax credits for a consolidation and expansion project. The project will create 46 jobs, retain 78 jobs, and represent $2.7 million in total investment.
“My number one priority this year is helping our businesses create jobs and giving our workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” Governor Doyle said. “Wisconsin is definitely open for business, and we are pleased to help Walter USA expand its company and create new jobs for hardworking families in Waukesha County.”
Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. Because of Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin now has some of the most powerful economic development tools in the country – from new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, to new tools to help investors create start-ups, to new incentives to spur research and development.
As a result of these tax credits, numerous companies have expanded or moved operations from other states to Wisconsin – including Walter USA, Republic Airways in Milwaukee, Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, and Oshkosh Corporation – creating thousands of new jobs in communities throughout the state.
These economic incentives were integral to Walter USA’s decision to consolidate in Wisconsin and create new jobs. Walter USA’s parent company, Sandvik AB of Sweden, has decided to close its Madison Heights, Michigan facility and move work, equipment and employees to the Waukesha location. The company will use the state award to construct and equip an addition to the Waukesha plant. Founded in 1919, Walter USA manufactures tungsten carbide tools.
Governor Doyle has laid out plans to continue building the state’s economy and create jobs, including passing the CORE Jobs Act to build on the Governor’s successful economic development tax credits and strengthen programs for manufacturing, research and development, and worker training. The Governor has also called for passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act to create 16,000 jobs in the emerging clean energy economy and is establishing the Wisconsin Green to Gold Fund to help manufacturers reduce energy costs and create and retain jobs.
The Governor has also worked to improve Wisconsin’s tax ranking and business climate. Today, Wisconsin ranks 30th in business taxes – well below the national average.
