Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced $1.5 million in assistance for Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation to expand and create up to 200 jobs. The governor made the announcement with Allen Edmonds company leaders in Port Washington, Wis.
“In Wisconsin, one of our great strengths is high quality manufacturing,” Governor Doyle said. “We have the best workers in the world and in Wisconsin we have a higher percentage of our workers in manufacturing than any other state. The success of Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation is a real testament to Wisconsin’s dedication to quality, and I am really proud the state is a strong partner in Allen Edmonds’ efforts to expand its operations here in Wisconsin.”
Doyle announced the state is providing a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant Economic Development (CDBG-ED) loan to Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation to invest in its $3 million expansion project, which will create up to 200 jobs. The project will also retain 220 good-paying jobs at Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation’s operations in Port Washington.
The company’s expansion project will increase production at the Port Washington manufacturing plant. The growth will include expansions of the warehouse and the hand-sewn and recraft lines, a new custom line, and upgrades to the existing plant and machinery and equipment, along with training new and existing employees on new production and distribution processes.
Since 1922, Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation has made some of highest-quality shoes in the world. As the company has grown, Allen Edmonds has remained committed to growing good jobs in Wisconsin. Instead of shipping their jobs overseas, Allen Edmonds has invested millions in modernizing their facilities in Wisconsin.
This project builds on the governor’s efforts to position Wisconsin for future growth. Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. His budget last year created some of the strongest economic development tools in the nation to help businesses create jobs and get people back to work. Wisconsin now has powerful new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, new tools to help investors create start-ups, and new incentives to spur research and development.
