$20 Million Expansion Will Create and Retain 278 Jobs
WEST BEND – Governor Jim Doyle today announced $2 million to help Gehl Company expand their research and development and headquarters facilities in West Bend. Governor Doyle joined with representatives from the City of West Bend, Washington County, the Milwaukee 7 and Gehl Company to announce the expansion, which is expected to retain 191 jobs and create 87 new, good paying jobs for the area.
“To be competitive long into the future, we need to work together with businesses to provide the best opportunities to thrive in our economy,” Governor Doyle said. “Today, we’re taking another step forward to create opportunities for business and hardworking families, and give our state the edge we need to compete, and win in the global marketplace.”
Gehl Company manufactures compact equipment used in construction and agricultural markets. It is headquartered in West Bend.
Gehl Company, founded in 1859, is constructing a new corporate office facility and renovating an existing facility into a research and development center at a total cost of $20 million. The Department of Commerce is providing a $1 million low-interest loan to the company for capital investment and a $700,000 Brownfields Grant to the City of West Bend for environmental remediation in connection with the expansion. The Department of Transportation is providing a $300,000 Transportation Economic Assistance grant to the community for roadway improvements. The project will create 87 jobs over the next four years and retain 191 positions.
The Gehl Company considered another state for the $20 million expansion, but chose West Bend, because of the work done by the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, the City of West Bend, the Washington County and the Milwaukee 7 to make sure the expansion occurred in Wisconsin.
“Gehl Company’s roots in West Bend and the State of Wisconsin date back 148 years. While many things have changed over those years, the Company’s commitment to developing innovative new products has been constant. This new state-of-the-art research and design center will become the breeding ground for many new products for generations to come,” said William D. Gehl, Chairman and CEO of Gehl Company. “We appreciate the interest and support we have received from the State of Wisconsin, Washington County and the City of West Bend.”
The City of West Bend and Washington County are providing incentives totaling more than $5 million.
“We are excited that one of our longstanding corporate citizens has decided to expand in downtown West Bend,” Mayor Kristine Deiss stated. “Gehl’s commitment to construct an engineering-based research and development center will provide the type of jobs important to West Bend’s future.”
“Economic Development/Washington County is happy to be a part of the team that has worked so hard in giving Gehl Company the tools it needs to continue to be a leading presence in West Bend,” said Jack Caldwell, Executive Director of EDWC. “We appreciate the marvelous cooperation we have enjoyed from the City of West Bend, Governor Doyle and the Department of Commerce, UW-Washington County, and Milwaukee 7.
“We are thrilled that Gehl Company is choosing to make its expansion investment in Wisconsin,” said Jim Paetsch, Director of Corporate Expansion and Relocation for Milwaukee 7. “The City of West Bend, Economic Development/Washington County and the State of Wisconsin, led by Governor Jim Doyle, stepped up with an aggressive financial package that made it clear we valued the Gehl Company and wanted the project.”
