MONROE - The City of Monroe can look forward to the start of infant milk formula production and between 150 to 200 new jobs in early 2015, according to Pam Christopher, director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
Christopher presented an update on the project Tuesday at the Common Council meeting. She is overseeing the development by the new production company, Amlat LLC, created by Dong Han of Beijing, China, on 20 acres in the city's north industrial park.
Christopher spent about 10 days in April, at the request of Han, to speak to investors in China about the Amlat project. Madison Region Economic Partners President Paul Jadin joined her. About 100 people attended those investor meetings, Christopher said.
During their trip, they also spoke to other investors at the Hainan Province commerce department about investment opportunities in Wisconsin and Monroe, Christopher added.
"You may even see more contacts coming from China," she said.
Christopher said she participated in the trip as a representative of the City of Monroe, with the consent of Mayor Bill Ross. Han paid for the trip.
The trip was successful, Christopher said, in view of the fact that Han was unable to meet with the Wisconsin delegation immediately after the meetings, because so many investors wanted to meet with her. Han also extended her visit in China to meet with investors.
Han was back in Monroe in May to finish more details of the multi-million dollar company, according to Christopher. She returned to China with her family after their school dismissed in Madison to visit relatives.
She is expected to be back in Monroe this summer to oversee the construction of a 30,000-square-foot lab and production facility, estimated between $5 million and $7 million.
Christopher said Han has an equipment supplier and a general contractor for the facility. Equipment had to be chosen before the building could be laid out, because it has to be built around the equipment configuration, she added.
Monroe's Plan Commission is expected to review those plans for approval in the next few weeks.
Preparations for hiring have already begun, Christopher said. Advertising for employees will be done through trade publications, the state, the Chamber's website and Department of Labor.
Han has also set up her milk sources.
"There will be enough milk," from Wisconsin and beyond, Christopher said, and Wisconsinites should not be concerned about a shortage of milk for making cheese.
Christopher said Han's utmost attention is given to making a safe and high quality product for children in China.
Christopher presented an update on the project Tuesday at the Common Council meeting. She is overseeing the development by the new production company, Amlat LLC, created by Dong Han of Beijing, China, on 20 acres in the city's north industrial park.
Christopher spent about 10 days in April, at the request of Han, to speak to investors in China about the Amlat project. Madison Region Economic Partners President Paul Jadin joined her. About 100 people attended those investor meetings, Christopher said.
During their trip, they also spoke to other investors at the Hainan Province commerce department about investment opportunities in Wisconsin and Monroe, Christopher added.
"You may even see more contacts coming from China," she said.
Christopher said she participated in the trip as a representative of the City of Monroe, with the consent of Mayor Bill Ross. Han paid for the trip.
The trip was successful, Christopher said, in view of the fact that Han was unable to meet with the Wisconsin delegation immediately after the meetings, because so many investors wanted to meet with her. Han also extended her visit in China to meet with investors.
Han was back in Monroe in May to finish more details of the multi-million dollar company, according to Christopher. She returned to China with her family after their school dismissed in Madison to visit relatives.
She is expected to be back in Monroe this summer to oversee the construction of a 30,000-square-foot lab and production facility, estimated between $5 million and $7 million.
Christopher said Han has an equipment supplier and a general contractor for the facility. Equipment had to be chosen before the building could be laid out, because it has to be built around the equipment configuration, she added.
Monroe's Plan Commission is expected to review those plans for approval in the next few weeks.
Preparations for hiring have already begun, Christopher said. Advertising for employees will be done through trade publications, the state, the Chamber's website and Department of Labor.
Han has also set up her milk sources.
"There will be enough milk," from Wisconsin and beyond, Christopher said, and Wisconsinites should not be concerned about a shortage of milk for making cheese.
Christopher said Han's utmost attention is given to making a safe and high quality product for children in China.