Dept. of Commerce: Gov. Doyle Announces Development Project in Oconto

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, (608) 267-9661

MADISON-Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that Graphic Management Specialty
Products, Inc., Oconto, Oconto County, will receive $87,000 in Community
Development Zone Program tax credits. Graphic Management Specialty Products,
Inc. manufactures pressure-sensitive labels, single-color and custom
placemats, packaging components for the food industry, and hospital menus.

“My Grow Wisconsin initiative calls for supporting innovation in our
business climate,” Gov. Doyle said. “I am pleased to provide this funding to
Graphic Management Specialty Products, Inc. This project will stimulate the
local economy and strengthens this company’s reputation as an industry
leader.”

“I am pleased that Commerce could participate in a project that will
help Graphic Management Specialty Products, Inc. increase its productivity
and expand into new markets,” said Department of Commerce (Commerce)
Secretary Cory L. Nettles. “This project will create 29 jobs at an average
wage of $10.22/hr., retain 41 employees and represent an investment of
approximately $1 million.”

Since 1998, Commerce has certified 11 businesses for projects that
will generate $52.1 million in new investment and 450 new jobs for the
Marinette-Oconto Community Development Zone (CDZ).

Commerce administers the CDZ Program, which offers tax incentives to
businesses expanding or locating in a designated area of economic distress.
Businesses can earn income tax credits for each new job created assuming
one-quarter of the jobs are filled by target group workers who have faced
barriers to employment, such as those dislocated by a plant closing or
currently participating in the Wisconsin Works (W-2) Program. Businesses can
also earn a tax credit for environmental remediation. Participants in the
CDZ Program are Ashland-Bayfield-Price Counties, Beloit,
Crawford-Richland-Vernon Counties, Eau Claire,
Florence-Forest-Langlade-Lincoln Counties, Fond du Lac, Grant-Lafayette
Counties, Green Bay, Iron County, Janesville, Juneau-Adams-Marquette
Counties, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lac du Flambeau, Manitowoc, Marinette-Oconto
Counties, Milwaukee, Racine, Stockbridge-Munsee, Sturgeon Bay, Superior, and
Two Rivers. For further information on the CDZ Program, contact Amy
Cumblad, Commerce, (608) 266-2688.