MONROE - Gov. Jim Doyle announced Tuesday that Wisconsin Cheese Group would receive more than $45,000 in tax credits to help the company expand and modernize.
Doyle visited the Monroe plant to make the announcement.
"This is an example of a business that has grown and figured out new markets," he told employees at the plant.
Wisconsin Cheese Group employees 117 workers and is 100 percent Wisconsin owned.
"When I became governor milk production was stagnant and cheese production was going in the wrong direction," Doyle said. "We've turned that around. Milk and cheese production has increased."
Wisconsin Cheese Group is one of 25 dairy manufactures across the state that will share $700,000 in dairy plant investment tax credits. The projects, which have already been completed by the dairy manufactures, have generated 237 jobs statewide.
"I want to congratulate you," Doyle told plant vice president of operations Dale Losenegger.
Wisconsin Cheese Group recently completed a modernization program includes a robotic arm to place packaged products in line to be labeled and dated, as well as labeling and drying equipment.
Chief financial officer Walt Oldham said the modernization has allowed the plant to meet the challenges of the economy. It has also enabled the plant to maintain full employment.
"We want to keep everyone here," Oldham said.
Doyle said Wisconsin Cheese Group is an example of what the state has tried to do to keep and grow dairy industry related companies.
"Despite the economic hurdles we are all facing right now, I am confident that agriculture will continue to be an industry that defines Wisconsin and serve as a foundation for our economy," he said.
Food and food processing has remained strong for the state despite the economic downtown, Doyle added.
"We've developed a robust and diversified dairy industry and we've found new markets for cheese," he said.
Doyle also visited Darlington Tuesday to announce the state would give the city money to help upgrade its water system.
Darlington will receive $223,500 from the state to help replace its water mains, conserve water and the energy to pump it as well as reduce the potential for drinking water contamination.
Doyle said the investment will create jobs and improve the city's water.
Mayor Dave Breunig said he was happy to see the city received state assistance for the project, which will be completed this year.
"This is going to save the taxpayers some money," Breunig said.
The project was originally scheduled for either 2010 or 2011, but will be moved forward with the state aid. The city has to match the money provided by the state.
"We will start (the project) as soon as we can," Breunig said.
Doyle visited the Monroe plant to make the announcement.
"This is an example of a business that has grown and figured out new markets," he told employees at the plant.
Wisconsin Cheese Group employees 117 workers and is 100 percent Wisconsin owned.
"When I became governor milk production was stagnant and cheese production was going in the wrong direction," Doyle said. "We've turned that around. Milk and cheese production has increased."
Wisconsin Cheese Group is one of 25 dairy manufactures across the state that will share $700,000 in dairy plant investment tax credits. The projects, which have already been completed by the dairy manufactures, have generated 237 jobs statewide.
"I want to congratulate you," Doyle told plant vice president of operations Dale Losenegger.
Wisconsin Cheese Group recently completed a modernization program includes a robotic arm to place packaged products in line to be labeled and dated, as well as labeling and drying equipment.
Chief financial officer Walt Oldham said the modernization has allowed the plant to meet the challenges of the economy. It has also enabled the plant to maintain full employment.
"We want to keep everyone here," Oldham said.
Doyle said Wisconsin Cheese Group is an example of what the state has tried to do to keep and grow dairy industry related companies.
"Despite the economic hurdles we are all facing right now, I am confident that agriculture will continue to be an industry that defines Wisconsin and serve as a foundation for our economy," he said.
Food and food processing has remained strong for the state despite the economic downtown, Doyle added.
"We've developed a robust and diversified dairy industry and we've found new markets for cheese," he said.
Doyle also visited Darlington Tuesday to announce the state would give the city money to help upgrade its water system.
Darlington will receive $223,500 from the state to help replace its water mains, conserve water and the energy to pump it as well as reduce the potential for drinking water contamination.
Doyle said the investment will create jobs and improve the city's water.
Mayor Dave Breunig said he was happy to see the city received state assistance for the project, which will be completed this year.
"This is going to save the taxpayers some money," Breunig said.
The project was originally scheduled for either 2010 or 2011, but will be moved forward with the state aid. The city has to match the money provided by the state.
"We will start (the project) as soon as we can," Breunig said.