CHICAGO – Reinforcing his Opportunity Returns pledge to spur business growth in Southwest Illinois, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $200,000 to support the expansion of Gateway Packaging in Granite City. As a result of Gov. Blagojevich’s support, the company has increased manufacturing capacity and installed advanced machinery and equipment that has lead to more than $2.9 million in private investment. The company currently has more than 100 employees at its Granite City operation and plans to hire 20 new employees as a result of the new equipment and expected business growth.
“Through Opportunity Returns, we’re partnering with all sizes and types of companies to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Gateway Packaging is on the edge of something big, and it is delivering new technology and jobs to this region,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “One of our most vital missions is to continue investing in companies that are growing, expanding and creating jobs for our working families in Southwest Illinois and throughout the state.”
The funding has brought state-of-the-art packaging technology to Southwest Illinois. This installation is the first of its type in North America and will allow Gateway Packaging to offer its customers new, revolutionary ways to package their products.
“Thanks to Gov. Blagojevich’s support, we’re able to grow our company and better serve our customers through new technology. Our company is enhancing our bottom line with new products that will strengthen our business in Illinois,” said Roger Miller, President and CEO at Gateway Packaging.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering this business investment deal. DCEO will make available Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits based on job creation over a ten-year period, an Employer Training Investment Program grant to upgrade the skills of its workforce, as well as Enterprise Zone investment and job creation credits arising from the company’s location within an enterprise zone.
“We need to continue supporting businesses and creating jobs in Southwest Illinois. There are a lot of good, strong companies in this region, and we’re helping many of them through Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns program,” State Senator William Haine (D-Alton) said.
"Even though we are making a lot of tough budget decisions right now, the investments to support economic development must continue. As elected officials, we must do all that we can to support local businesses and give them the tools to grow and create opportunity," said State Representative Daniel Beiser (D-Alton).
Gateway Packaging Company provides flexible packaging for the food, industrial product and pet food industry and has been doing business in Illinois for 25 years. The company has grown into a full service packaging company that offers performance packaging, including lidding, labels, rollstock or bags, as well as in-house printing and bag design.
“Through this partnership with Gateway Packaging, we’re using a wide range of economic development tools that we have to help this company stay strong and grow. Gov. Blagojevich will continue working with countless other companies to stimulate the economy and create jobs throughout the region and state,” 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.