Governor Jim Doyle recenlty announced that Seda International Packaging Group SpA (Seda) will locate its new North American manufacturing facility in Racine County, Wisconsin and create 189 new jobs. Governor Doyle announced $5.7 million in state assistance for Seda, which chose Wisconsin for its first North American location over Toronto and Pennsylvania.
"I am proud to announce that Seda will locate their North American manufacturing facility here in Wisconsin, creating 189 new jobs in this state," Governor Doyle said. "Wisconsin has the best workers in the world and we are continuing to move forward and make the investments to spur economic development and create jobs."
Governor Doyle has worked closely with Seda officials including meeting with executives during his trip to Italy this March. The Seda Group had not considered locating their North American facility in Wisconsin prior to Governor Doyle's personal pitch.
"Seda makes great packaging products used worldwide, and we are very happy to open our first North American manufacturing facility in Wisconsin," said Gianfranco D'Amato, Managing Director of Seda International Packaging Group. "Wisconsin's well-trained workforce and Governor Doyle's personal pitch to our company are among the major reasons we are locating our manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with the State."
To support Seda's new facility, the State is providing $4.2 million in JOBs tax credits and a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant forgivable loan.
The Seda Group produces packaging for ice cream, beverages and fast food containers. The company is one of the world's largest paper converting companies for the food industry. The Seda Group has 13 companies and 12 manufacturing facilities throughout Europe and supplies packaging to major world food companies. The company is focused on sourcing its forest products from local, sustainable sources and is known for its major investments in research and development.
This project builds on Governor Doyle's efforts to position Wisconsin for future growth. 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 has successfully brought foreign companies to Wisconsin, resulting in major private investments and job creation. Wisconsin firms exported more than $293 million worth of products directly to Italy in 2009, making it the 13th largest export destination for Wisconsin, up from 15th in 2008.