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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LaClare Farm products, the Hedrichs plan to rent out space to dairy processors to help launch new products and to work with beginning dairy entrepreneurs to develop their new products. The facility will also offer viewing windows into the milking parlor, dairy plant and cheese aging room which will be available to the public. ���We have really appreciated the support we have gotten from everyone in the community about this project,��� Hedrich says. Manufacturers in expansion mode Across Fond du Lac County, several manufacturers are shaking off the effects of the economic slowdown and expanding their operations, says Steve Jenkins, president of the Fond du Lac Economic Development Corp. Some of the projects include: �� Alliance Laundry in Ripon is spending $29 million to expand its operations and plans to hire about 260 new employees once the project is complete this fall. The company estimates the production of small chassis washers and dryers will increase by about 40 percent. �� McNeilus Steel, based in Dodge Center, Minn., is finishing up a $20 million warehouse addition to its fullline steel distribution and processing facility in Fond du Lac. Once complete, the project will add about 70 new jobs over the next three years, the company says. The State of Wisconsin gave a $600,000 Transportation Economic Assistance grant to construct a 2,360foot track and a 1,570-foot rail spur to off-load materials at McNeilus��� facilities. (The grant covers about half of the project���s cost.) �� Mercury Marine is in the middle of a $20 million expansion of its Fond du Lac research and development and manufacturing facilities. Along with the physical expansions, the marine engine maker continues to hire. Since 2009, Mercury �� Fond du Lac Economic Development Corp: www.fcedc.com �� Windhover Center for the Arts: www.windhovercenter.org �� LaClare Farm: www.laclarefarm.com Marine has hired 1,100 employees. �� Wells Vehicle Electronics, a maker of electronic car parts like ignition coils, is building a $7.1 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Fond du Lac. The project will be complete later this year. �� Advanced Tooling is doubling the size of its manufacturing space at its Mount Calvary facility and plans to add 15 workers once the project is complete. Advanced Tooling specializes in industrial and medical drilling devices. Focus on the arts A construction project in downtown Fond du Lac is seeking to turn the city into a regional arts destination. The Windhover Center for the Arts TRAIN. INSPIRE. INVIGORATE. Is your staff this excited about their jobs? training@morainepark.edu on the web PERFORMANCE-MINDED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 920-924-3449 morainepark.edu/training PERFORMANCE-MINDED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Six Sigma I Leadership & Supervision I Technical Skills I Customized Training Solutions I Strategic Development 38 | Insight ��� A p r i l 2 013 w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m