Dept. of Commerce: Wisconsin Development Fund Awards Aid Technology Development and Labor Training

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, (608) 267-9661

MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that seven companies will
share $688,013 in Wisconsin Development Fund awards. The awards were made
at the Wisconsin Development Finance Board meeting held January 26 in
Madison.

“These awards will help achieve the goals of my Grow Wisconsin
initiative by increasing the skills of Wisconsin workers in our
manufacturing industries,” Gov. Doyle said. “They also support projects that
retain jobs and further technological development in the state.”

Gov. Doyle noted that the projects will create 60 jobs, retain 124
positions, train 92 employees and leverage $3.8 million in additional
investment.

The following summarizes the successful proposals:

Dimat, Inc., Cedarburg, Ozaukee County, $10,397 Customized Labor Training
(CLT) grant. Dimat, Inc., manufactures ceramic and rare earth powders,
materials that do not conduct electricity, and prototype capacitors for use
in the electronics, defense, and automotive industries. It is seeking ISO
9001/2000 certification. The company will use the CLT funds to train five
existing employees. The project will leverage $10,398 in additional private
investment.

K & L Tooling, Inc., Port Washington, Ozaukee County, $44,719 CLT grant. K &
L Tooling, Inc., produces specialized dies and complex machining fixtures
for use in the automotive, appliance, and food industries. It is seeking ISO
9001/2000 certification. The company will use the CLT funds to train 15
existing and 18 new employees. The project will leverage $44,720 in
additional private investment.

Pacal Industries, LLC, La Crosse, La Crosse County, $350,000 Major Economic
Development (MED) loan. Pacal Industries, LLC, a spin-off company from
Pacal, LLC, specializes in steel fabrication, producing bridge spans and
crane booms among other products. The MED award will provide working capital
to the company to support the introduction of a new crane line. It will
retain 59 positions and create 33 new positions. The project will leverage
$3.3 million in additional private investment.

Professional Power Products, Inc., Darien, Walworth County, $27,397 CLT
grant. Professional Power Products, Inc., offers design, engineering,
manufacturing and consulting services to the power generation field. It is
seeking ISO 9000 certification. The company will use the CLT funds to train
31 existing employees. The project will leverage $27,397 in additional
private investment.

Ryeco, Inc., Beloit, Rock County, $24,250 CLT grant. Ryeco, Inc., offers
precision double-disc grinding and machining that serves end users in the
automotive and construction industries. It is seeking ISO 9001
certification. The company will use the CLT funds to train 14 existing
employees. The project will leverage $24,250 in additional private
investment.

Seneca Foods Corporation, Baraboo, Sauk County, $31,250 CLT grant. Seneca
Foods Corporation cans and freezes fruits and vegetables. The company is
investing $12 million to expand its Baraboo facility and purchase new
equipment. The CLT funds will be used to train nine new employees on the new
equipment. The project will leverage $205,808 in additional private
investment.

Wisconsin Small Engine Consortium, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $200,000
Technology Development Fund (TDF) grant. The Wisconsin Small Engine
Consortium is a collaborative effort between Wisconsin companies, the State
of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin. It works to develop tools and
methodologies to assist in the production of small engines that will meet
emissions standards and operate efficiently. The TDF award will provide
working capital to the consortium during clinical trials and testing. The
project will leverage $200,000 in additional private investment.

The Department of Commerce staffs the Wisconsin Development Fund.
The independent Wisconsin Development Finance Board considers proposals and
awards funds. For further information, contact Jamie Wall at (608)
267-0770.