February 28th, 2015

Governor Scott Walker surrounded by Toolamation officers

Toolamation Services Inc., located at 39452 North Lewis Avenue in Beach Park, is a machining-tools casting company. They also have a machine shop called TJH Manufacturing Inc., located at 41666 Sheridan Road in Zion. Tony Deieso, along with Tom and Beth Hartford, runs the company which employs nearly 50 people and is looking to expand in the near future. But it won't be in Zion, or Illinois, for that matter! Both places are packing up and relocating to Kenosha. Toolamation wanted to have one location and enough room for expansion. Kenosha News reported on February 16 that the company is purchasing a 5-acre site at 9037 Sheridan Road. And it looks like Wisconsin gave them the "red carpet" treatment! 
The Kenosha Area Business Alliance is providing Toolamation with a $490,000 loan for the property. The company will also receive up to $300,000 in tax credits, $100,000 for equipment, and more for renovations. On February 17, the official announcement was given, with Kenosha and Wisconsin officials joining Toolamations executives. Do you know who else showed up? Governor Scott Walker! He and other Wisconsin officials were so thankful for Toolamation relocating to Kenosha. Everyone was so welcoming! How could Toolamation say no?! With so many incentives and reasons for leaving an almost impossible tax burden in Illinois, who could blame them?! Not me. Not anyone.
         Scott Walker said, "I'm pleased to welcome Toolamation to Wisconsin, and have them join the growing list of companies that are establishing operations in Wisconsin because of our strong business climate." He's right. This is the 7th announcement - in less than a year - of a major project in Kenosha County bringing in over $200 million in capital investment and over 1,000 new jobs.
         Uline's move to Kenosha later this year will mean the end of its operations in Waukegan. Quest Products is relocating from Gurnee to Pleasant Prairie and Kenosha. More companies are making plans to cross the border. How many more companies and jobs will exit the state before Illinois sees that we are being treated unfairly and taxed too much!

---