Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Project to Create 100 Jobs
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Salm Partners, LLC, of Denmark will receive a $900,000 Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development (CDBG-ED) loan from the Department of Commerce to upgrade and expand its operations, creating 100 new jobs. The state will also provide an additional $100,000 grant to train new employees. Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel made the award on behalf of the Governor during a visit to the company’s Denmark facility.
“My number one priority this year is helping our businesses create jobs and giving our workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” Governor Doyle said. “My administration is committed to helping companies retain and create good-paying jobs for Wisconsin residents. I’m pleased that Salm Partners has chosen to expand in Wisconsin, and that we could assist the company in bringing 100 new jobs to Brown County.”
Chris Salm, a founding member of Salm Partners, is a strong proponent of growth in Wisconsin.
“We chose to expand in northeast Wisconsin because of the wonderful people who call this area home,” Salm said. “Our business is successful and has had the opportunity to add to our employment because of the energy and enthusiasm of our partners. Governor Doyle and Secretary Leinenkugel have provided welcome encouragement and support for our growth.”
Salm Partners, LLC was founded in 2004 as a sausage manufacturing business that emphasizes the use of new production technology to create innovative products. Their expansion project involves remodeling a portion of an existing building, installing an advanced production system, and training employees. Salm Partners currently employs 143 people in Denmark, and the expansion is expected to result in the creation of 100 new full-time jobs. Project costs are expected to total $9.26 million.
Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. Because of Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin now has some of the most powerful economic development tools in the country – from new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, to new tools to help investors create start-ups, to new incentives to spur research and development. As a result of these tax credits, numerous companies have expanded or moved operations from other states to Wisconsin – including Republic Airways in Milwaukee, Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, and Oshkosh Corporation – creating thousands of new jobs in communities throughout the state.
Governor Doyle has laid out plans to continue building the state’s economy and create jobs, including passing the CORE Jobs Act to build on the Governor’s successful economic development tax credits and strengthen programs for manufacturing, research and development, and worker training. The Governor has also called for passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act to create 16,000 jobs in the emerging clean energy economy and is establishing the Wisconsin Green to Gold Fund to help manufacturers reduce energy costs and create and retain jobs.
Governor Doyle has also worked to improve Wisconsin’s tax ranking and business climate. Today, Wisconsin ranks 30th in business taxes – well below the national average.
