Contacts:
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor,
608-261-2156
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce,
608-267-9661
Jennifer Smith, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.,
704-758-2298
Represents Major Public/Private Investment in Wisconsin’s Manufacturing
Sector
JANESVILLE – Governor Jim Doyle announced today a $500,000
Department of Commerce low-interest loan to assist Lowe’s Companies, Inc.,
build a new manufacturing facility in Janesville. Governor Doyle made the
announcement at a “board-cutting” ceremony for the new facility.
“Today’s announcement builds on the great progress we’ve
made all over Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “My ‘Grow Wisconsin’
initiative calls for investing in manufacturing so that we can help create
good, family supporting jobs for our citizens. This new mill employs more
than 60 people and that number is expected to grow to more than 100 in the
next several months.”
Lowe’s, the world’s second-largest home improvement
retailer, opened the millwork manufacturing facility in an existing 210,000
square foot building in Janesville. The plant will manufacture doors for
retail sale, and represents a $7.5 million investment over the next five
years.
“This marks the beginning of Lowe’s relationship with the
state of Wisconsin,” said Mike Mabry, Lowe’s executive vice president of
logistics and distribution. “This facility will support our growing store
base in the Midwest, and help us deliver quality millwork products at an
everyday competitive price to our customers.”
Lowe’s will open its first home improvement store in the
state in Milwaukee later this year. A second store in Plover is slated to
open in spring 2005.
“Lowe’s is a great example of the kind of company that I’m
working hard to bring to Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “They’re
committed to producing quality products and are willing to make investments
in their workers and in their community. I look forward to a strong
relationship with the company well into the future.”
Governor Doyle was joined at the ceremony by Mike Byrne,
Lowe’s-Janesville Millwork Facility Manager; Mike Mabry; and Steven
Sheiffer, City of Janesville City Manager.
