State’s investment will support increased economic development in southern Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that Continental Tire North America, Inc. plans to expand production at their Mt. Vernon facility, a move that will create 75 new jobs. The state’s investment package will leverage an approximately $53 million investment by the company. This support comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s comprehensive economic development strategy to create jobs and build the economy in southern Illinois. Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Milton Sees joined leaders from Continental Tire, and civic and economic development officials at an event today for the announcement.
“One of our best strategies to ensure that our regions thrive is to help local companies develop and expand. By investing in companies like Continental, we are supporting economic growth in this region, helping to create and retain jobs, and continuing to deliver on our promise to grow the southern Illinois economy,” said Governor Blagojevich.
Continental Tire North America will expand the company’s tire operations in Mt. Vernon to better meet market demand in the United States. The company will also purchase new state-of-the-art tire building equipment to upgrade existing machines. It is anticipated that implementation of the passenger tire expansion will make the Mt. Vernon plant the largest tire producer, by volume, in the United States.
“Continental Tire and its predecessor company have had a long-standing presence in this community. I am pleased that they have made the decision to continue investing in this state and the people of southern Illinois,” Sen. John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) said.
“I’m pleased that Continental has made the decision to expand its Mt. Vernon facility. This investment will bring new jobs to the region, and further our efforts to grow the southern Illinois economy,” said Rep. Kurt Granberg (D-Mt. Vernon).
“We are honored and grateful to receive this generous support from Gov. Blagojevich and the state of Illinois,” said Hank Eisenga, Vice President of Manufacturing in Mt. Vernon. “CTNA has continued to invest in Mt. Vernon – since 2006 we’ve announced more than $220 million in investments – because we believe in the Mt. Vernon workforce and because we want to continue to do business in the state of Illinois. We are excited to grow our company and expand our employee base here, and we look forward to a very long and bright future in Mt. Vernon.”
“This expansion demonstrates Governor Blagojevich’s commitment to create jobs and opportunity for the people of southern Illinois, said IDOT Secretary Milton Sees. “It’s an investment that will benefit the local economy for many years to come.”
“Continental Tire North America is the largest single private employer in Southern Illinois, so their presence in this community is vital for the people of this region. I am pleased that the state was able to once again provide support to the company for their continued growth and the creation of good jobs,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.
About Continental:
With targeted annual sales of more than €26.4 billion ($40 billion US) for 2008, Continental is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.