John Deere Horicon Works Hosts Wisconsin Officials for Groundbreaking

MADISON, WI. Oct. 22, 2015 – Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch joined other elected officials and business leaders today as John Deere Horicon Works broke ground on a 400,000 square-foot addition to its existing facility.

The expansion is projected to create 80 new full-time jobs in 2016 in order to meet the company’s assembly and shipping needs. John Deere currently employs more than 1,100 people at its Horicon location.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the $42.9 million project, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch announced $2 million in tax credits provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to assist with the company’s investment.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was instrumental in ensuring that the building expansion and associated site improvements met all applicable State regulatory requirements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife also provided regulatory oversight and have assisted John Deere Horicon Works in obtaining required federal permits for the site expansion. Permit work related to wetland impacts is ongoing.

“The expansion of John Deere Horicon Works is great news for this community, and a testament to the quality of the infrastructure, workforce and business climate Wisconsin offers to growing companies,” said Lt. Governor Kleefisch. “I congratulate John Deere Horicon Works on the company’s success, and thank them for their continued commitment to Wisconsin.”

“The city of Horicon has supported John Deere since 1911 as a community with strong work ethic, where people take pride in doing their job well,” said James Field, president, Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division. “The state of Wisconsin has also created an environment where John Deere and Horicon Works can thrive.”

State Senator Scott Fitzgerald praised John Deere Horicon Works for its investment in Horicon and its dedication to equipping Wisconsin’s workforce with the necessary skills to excel in the manufacturing industry. “This expansion is yet another excellent example of the successes that WEDC has seen at the local level in their partnerships with private businesses,” said Senator Fitzgerald. “John Deere is a cherished Wisconsin employer and this expansion is great news for the residents of Horicon, and great news for the state.”

WEDC’s Economic Development Tax Credits are designed to help companies pursue projects that will create or retain full-time jobs in Wisconsin and are allocated based on the wage range of the jobs, the number of jobs to be created or retained, the capital investment made by the business and the training costs for new or current employees.

In fiscal year 2015, WEDC executed 52 contracts awarding more than $18 million in Economic Development Tax credits to Wisconsin companies contingent upon the creation or retention of 8,626 full-time jobs. 

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate. WEDC nurtures business growth and job creation by providing resources, technical support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. WEDC has four focus areas: business and industry development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation and international business development. Together with more than 600 regional and local business development partners, it represents a highly responsive and coordinated network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter  @_InWisconsin to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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