Contacts: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Project Will Create Nearly 60 Jobs
GREEN BAY – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wilcox Steel, LLC, of Green Bay will receive a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant-Economic Development (CDBG-ED) loan from the Department of Commerce to help them reopen the former Fort Howard Steel plant. Commerce Secretary Mary P. Burke announced the award on behalf of the Governor Doyle at a press conference in Green Bay.
“At the heart of my Affordability Agenda is a commitment to creating good jobs and growing the economy of our state,” said Governor Doyle. “We are doing this by advancing technology, providing training, promoting trade, and supporting new investment in Wisconsin. And I am pleased we could help Wilcox Steel restore a vacant plant to production, create new jobs, and attract new investment to the area.”
The project will create 58 jobs over the next three years and represents a total capital investment of $8.2 million.
“Successfully bringing a company back from being shutdown is a near impossible task, and is only possible by going above and beyond, and with the help such as we have received through Governor Doyle and the state of Wisconsin,” said Ron Anderson, president of Wilcox Steel, LLC. “These economic development programs, combined with the return of previous Fort Howard Steel employees, form the foundation for a long-term successful enterprise.”
The Fort Howard Steel plant operated from 1936 to 2005. Wilcox Steel, LLC, will produce cold-finished steel bars of various sizes at this plant.
The CDBG-ED program awards loans to businesses that seek to expand in or relocate to Wisconsin. Businesses interested in the CDBG-ED program should contact the Commerce Area Development Manager in their region. Contact information can be found at www.commerce.wi.gov/MT/MT-FAX-0901.html.
