Contacts:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Also Announces $150,000 in Tax Credits for Advanced Laser
Machining; Projects Will Create 45 New Jobs, Retain Almost 70 in Chippewa
County
Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Rex Systems
Incorporated of Hallie will receive $250,000 in Technology Zone tax credits
from the Department of Commerce to assist the company as it invests over $16
million to research and develop a First Responder Communications System.
The Governor also announced that Advanced Laser Machining, Inc. will receive
$150,000 in Technology Zone tax credits to help the company expand its
facility in Chippewa Falls.
“Through my ‘Grow Wisconsin’ plan, we are working hard to
foster the growth of businesses statewide, create high-wage, high-end jobs
for our citizens, and build a strong economy from the ground up,” Governor
Doyle said. “We have much more to do, but it’s clear that our hard work is
starting to pay off. In the past 12 months, we’ve created more jobs than
any of our Midwestern neighbors. Today, I am pleased that we are taking the
next steps by helping these two companies undertake these projects and
create new jobs for Chippewa County.”
Rex Systems Incorporated is a manufacturer of military
electronic spare/repair parts and smaller systems-level equipment. The
project will create 32 new high-technology positions over the first three
years of the project and will retain 31 current positions.
“The development of the First Responder Communicator is an
important new direction for Rex Systems Incorporated that will allow us to
take our military electronics expertise and apply it to a commercial area
with global possibilities,” said Jon Myre, President of Rex Systems
Incorporated. “The Technology Zone tax credits will strengthen our ability
to compete and succeed in a demanding marketplace.”
Advanced Laser Machining will invest $2 million to expand
and equip its facility in Chippewa Falls. The project will create 13 new
positions and retain approximately 35 positions. Advanced Laser Machining
specializes in carbon dioxide laser cutting for mild steel, stainless steel,
and aluminum. The company also offers complete fabrication capabilities,
including CNC forming, robotic welding, assembly, sawing, punching, and
fabricating. It also uses a state-of-the-art laser cutting center that was
the first of its kind in Wisconsin.
“The I-94 Corridor Technology Zone program was instrumental
in our expansion planning,” said John Walton, President of Advanced Laser
Machining Inc. “It allows us to invest in equipment and employee training,
to continue to grow our business in the Chippewa Valley.”
Wisconsin’s Technology Zone program is an economic
development initiative that helps stimulate the growth of businesses that
are locating or expanding in one of eight technology zones statewide. Under
the program, tax credits are made available to businesses that are
commercializing technology or using advanced manufacturing techniques to
retain or create jobs in Wisconsin.
Both companies are located in the 1-94 Corridor Technology
Zone, which provides incentives for high-tech growth in biotechnology,
information technologies, computer and electronic technologies, and
telecommunications, and utilities, among others. The zone includes the
counties of Chippewa, Eau Claire, Dunn, St. Croix, Polk, and Pierce.
For more information about the Technology Zone program,
contact Amy Cumblad at Commerce at 608-266-2688.
