Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Project Will Create 56 Jobs in Menomonee Valley
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that the state will provide Palermo Villa with $342,000 in tax credits from the Department of Commerce to complete a $22 million expansion and create 56 jobs.
“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. “I am pleased that we could provide this assistance to Palermo Villa to help them grow and provide good family-supporting jobs in Milwaukee County.”
“We’re extremely pleased to be expanding our facility in the newly developed Menomonee Valley, an area that has supported our company’s steady growth,” said Giacomo Fallucca, president and CEO of Palermo Villa Inc. “This expansion will enable us to capitalize on opportunities to extend our national distribution and respond quickly to increased product demand.”
Palermo Villa Inc. is receiving $342,000 in tax credits to help construct and equip an expansion of its Milwaukee facility. Palermo’s was founded in 1964 and began as an Italian bakery on Milwaukee’s East Side. Over 40 years later, Palermo’s is the nation’s leading premium private label pizza manufacturer. The $22 million project is expected to create 56 jobs, and the company expects to grow to approximately 450 employees by 2011.
Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle’s budget last year created some of the strongest economic development tools in the nation to help businesses create jobs and get people back to work. Wisconsin now has powerful new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, new tools to help investors create start-ups, and new incentives to spur research and development. Governor Doyle’s efforts have helped Wisconsin companies expand and create thousands of new jobs in communities throughout the state.
Earlier this year, Governor Doyle signed the CORE Jobs Act to build on his Accelerate Wisconsin plan by creating and expanding a number of tax credit programs for angel and venture capital investments. The bill also strengthens successful programs for manufacturing, research and development, and worker training. The Governor also signed two bills to expand the Enterprise Zone program to help 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.
