WEDC award supports over $2 million capital investment projected to create 24 jobs
MADISON, WI. March 21, 2016—Solomon Corporation has chosen to expand its manufacturing operations in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. The Company has existing operations in Kansas, Tennessee, Colorado, and Texas.
Solomon will invest over $2 million in a previously vacant 20,000 square-foot facility, equipment and other initiatives. Located in the Northern Gateway Business Park in Prairie Du Chien, Solomon has already hired 14 employees and projects to employ 24 people when it opens later this year.
“We are absolutely delighted to be opening a facility in Wisconsin. Prairie du Chien’s location will allow us to better serve many of our existing customers and reach out to new customers in the region. The people of Wisconsin share many of the values that have long been important to our business and we look forward to investing and growing with the local community,” said Tom Hemmer, CEO of Solomon Corporation.
Solomon Corporation considered multiple locations in the upper Midwest before choosing Wisconsin for its expansion. Chief among the company’s criteria for selecting the best location for its new facility were proximity to its customer base, access to major transportation and logistics networks and the availability of skilled workers.
“By choosing Wisconsin for their expansion, Solomon leverages our strong workforce and manufacturing tradition,” said Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. “The attraction of Solomon Corporation to Wisconsin shows the strength of our business climate. On top of that, the company’s investment in the community and workforce will have a positive impact for years to come.”
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is assisting Solomon Corporation’s expansion into Wisconsin with $100,000 in Business Development Tax Credits, may be earned upon fulfillment of capital investment and job creation requirements. The City of Prairie Du Chien has also supported the project with a $571,123 loan that will be paid back at 0% interest over 15 years.
“Prairie du Chien is blessed in many ways, including a strong, diverse, community-minded base of industries and businesses,” said Prairie Du Chien Mayor Dan Hemmer. “When we learned that we had the opportunity add to the list of corporate and industrial partners with a strong, American-based company with positive long-term prospects, we, the City, along with our economic development partners, were eager to make it happen. We are very excited to welcome the Solomon Corporation as our newest neighbor in the North Gateway Business Park, and look forward to them being a part of our community for many years.”
Solomon Corporation, headquartered in Solomon, Kansas, is a premier distribution electrical transformer company that conducts business with over 3,000 utility companies in both the United States and internationally.
These customers include municipalities, rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities, as well as industrial users. Solomon Corporation has contracts with some of the largest utilities in the nation including Xcel Energy, Alliant, WE Energy, Madison Gas and Electric and Dairyland Power among others. Solomon employs over 550 people at their four locations and has annualized sales of over $100 million.
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About Solomon Corporation
Solomon Corporation specializes in sales and service of oil-filled transformers and distribution transformers. We also offer technical support to the electrical distribution industry, as well as repair, recycling, and disposal of transformers, reclosers, and regulators. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at www.solomoncorp.com or call 800-234-2867.
About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive economy. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit www.InWisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.
