April 29, 2010
Sen. Kathleen Vinehout applauded Whitehall Specialties for creating 22 manufacturing jobs by expanding their operations in Whitehall. The company announced it will utilize $130,000 in state economic development tax credits for the expansion.
“Creating and retaining jobs in Wisconsin is a very high priority,” said Vinehout. “Early this session I worked with Sen. Julie Lassa on Senate Bill 77 to help Wisconsin businesses create jobs by making economic development tax credits easier to access and more efficient.”
Senate Bill 77 consolidated five separate development zones into a single, more flexible program. The bill freed $65.29 million of unallocated credits and was incorporated into the budget repair bill to offer greater tools for businesses to grow Wisconsin’s economy.
“I am pleased to see a local business create good new jobs for hardworking families,” said Vinehout. “We’ve created strong economic development tools to help businesses like Whitehall Specialties get people back to work and our economy back on track.”
The expansion at Whitehall Specialties is the most recent example of businesses in Western Wisconsin expanding to create new jobs. In late March, Tomah-based USEMCO received a $200,000 agricultural development grant spearheaded by Vinehout to expand their operations. USEMCO President Pat Rezin expects 15-20 jobs will be created as the company begins to manufacture renewable energy producing manure digesters for small dairy farms.
