Taft Applauds Barr Labs for Investment in Hamilton County
COLUMBUS, OHIO (May 17, 2004) - Governor Bob Taft today spoke at the opening ceremony for Barr Laboratories' new expanded manufacturing facility. The expansion represents a $45 million investment, and will create more than 60 good, new jobs in the Cincinnati area.
"Barr Labs' decision to expand in Ohio demonstrates our state's continued strength in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing industry and are a credit to the skilled workforce in Southwest Ohio," Taft said. "Ohio is a great place to locate and expand a business, and through our job creation agenda we are working hard every day to grow more good jobs for Ohioans."
Barr Labs' new facility nearly doubles the size of the former facility for a total of 121,500 square feet. Barr Labs currently has approximately 370 employees, and expects to create a minimum of 60 new positions within the next three years. The company received assistance from the Ohio Department of Development for the project, including a Job Creation Tax Credit, a Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment Investment Tax Credit, and assistance through the Ohio Investment in Training Program.
Taft's 2004 State of the State address, delivered in January, outlined his job creation agenda, which he reiterated during today's visit. Major points of this agenda include:
? The creation of a new Jobs Cabinet, chaired by Development Director Bruce Johnson, which is working to help those who have lost jobs, enable companies to find the skilled workers they need to succeed, and cut red tape through regulatory reform.
? Working with the Legislature to pass the Jobs Bill, introduced March 9, which would:
o Increase funding for the Ohio Investment in Training Program and the Wright Centers of Innovation;
o Create the new Worker Guarantee Program to ensure the presence of a highly-skilled workforce for companies committed to bringing at least 100 new jobs to the state over a three-year period; and
o Expand time restraints on enterprise zones, ensuring additional investments in new businesses, while maintaining current laws of how businesses interact with local schools.
? Asking the legislature to pass comprehensive tort reform legislation and workers' compensation reform.
? Enacting tax reform to lower rates, broaden the tax base and ensure taxpayers are treated fairly.
? Sustaining the Third Frontier Project through the tobacco budget and capital bill, and redirecting additional dollars to protect investments already made.
? Protecting Ohio's defense jobs by providing an additional $1 million to fully fund local community efforts to fight the federal base closure process.
