For Immediate Release: Friday, October 31, 2003

For More Information: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301 

Persona, Inc. to Expand in Madison

Pierre -  An increase in business and the availability of a trained labor force prompted Persona, Inc. to expand its business in Madison, John Calvin, cabinet secretary, Department of Tourism and State Development, announced today, Oct. 31, 2003.

Persona, a manufacturer of outdoor electrical signage with headquarters in Watertown, plans to move into the former Rosco Manufacturing building and hire up to 55 employees, many of whom are expected to be former Rosco employees.

“This is great news for Madison and especially for the employees of Rosco that are being rehired,” Calvin said. “Finding jobs for displaced employees is always a priority. Rosco started laying off about 20 people a month in July and the last ones are being laid off now. We’ve been working hard with the people of Madison to get a company in there. We’re just thrilled that it’s an existing South Dakota company that’s in the growth mode,” he said.

Lake Area Improvement Corporation (LAIC) will purchase the 80,000 square foot facility and lease it to Persona, according to Ed Fiegen. President, LAIC. “I’m extremely proud of the efforts of the LAIC board, the city and county commissioners and the state development office. It was less than six months ago that Rosco’s parent company, Lee Boy, made the decision the close the plant and today, we are thrilled to be a part of Persona’s expansion,” Fiegen said.

“Our positive experience with the great employees in our current Persona Madison location led us to view this expansion with excitement and confidence,” said David Holien, president, Persona. “We know that the people in Madison have a terrific work ethic, produce high quality product, and take great pride in all they do,” he said.

Holien went on to say that the company is looking forward to an accelerated hiring schedule, and knows that the available Rosco work force, along with other Madison area applicants, will make the company’s rapid expansion a reality.  “We appreciate the tremendous work that the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, the city of Madison, and the State of South Dakota have done to make this expansion possible,” he concluded.

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