"We are thrilled to death," Mayor Ruth Zerkle said of Thursday's official announcement from Weidmann Electrical Technology that the business will be moving into the former Fox River paper mill at 700 W. Court St. by 2011.
"We welcome them to the city of Urbana. This is a quality corporation. They have high standards, integrity and excellent work ethics," Zerkle said. "It will improve the economy of our community."
The mayor praised the "perseverance" of the city staff and the "enthusiasm of the City Council" and said it is a team effort that is bringing Weidmann to Urbana.
In exchange for income tax benefits, Weidmann has agreed that within three years, 110 full-time workers will be employed at a minimum average wage of 150 percent of the federal minimum wage. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25.
The city's application for Clean Ohio Revitalization Funds states average wage levels at the facility are estimated to be $28 an hour.
"We've been working on this for two years and it's finally been brought to fruition," Urbana Community Development Director Melanie Kendrick said Thursday after Weidmann's announcement.
Kendrick said while property cleanup and remediation is planned for the next 13 months, the Swiss-based business will be upgrading the site and equipping the buildings. She added the plan is to hire a leadership team, then floor people.
She said city staff, administration and council have been working together to attract Weidmann to Urbana from the beginning. The city is working with Champaign Technology and Employment Center (CTEC) to start training programs to benefit Weidmann and its employees.
Kendrick expressed appreciation to state officials for their assistance. "There were economic incentives that helped Weidmann make their decision to come here," she said.
"I'm hoping that this will get confidence back in the community that we are doing our best to get the local economy back to where it needs to be and improve it even more," Kendrick said. "I realize this isn't replacing all the lost jobs we've had, but it's a big dent in where we were a couple years ago.
"While it may not look like we're doing anything behind closed doors, we're working hard to bring jobs here," she said.
According to information released on Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Champaign County's unemployment rate at the end of January was 13 percent.
The release notes Weidmann anticipates investing about $35 million in the community.
(See complete story in Friday's print and electronic page edition of the Urbana Daily Citizen.)
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