For Immediate Release: Monday, November 24, 2003

For More Information contact Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-5032

Laser Cut, Inc. to Expand in Madison

            Pierre – Laser Cut, Inc., a steel fabrication company in Madison, is expanding its operation by 4,000 square feet and will create 20 jobs in the next three years, John Calvin, cabinet secretary, Department of Tourism and State Development, announced today, Nov. 20, 2003.

            “This is a family-owned business that has been operating in Madison since 1993,” Calvin said. “Laser Cut currently outsources a tremendous amount of production due to lack of production space. This expansion will allow the company to bring that production in-house. Not only will this save money, it will allow the company to serve its clients in a more timely fashion,” he said.

            The company received a $90,000 REDI (Revolving Economic Development & Initiative) Fund loan and a $90,000 loan from the City of Madison to help with the expansion. “This money will be used to help purchase new equipment,” Calvin said.

            Calvin also said that the company received $2,000 from the state’s Workforce Development Fund and $1,000 from the Madison Development Corporation as part of a hiring incentive program put into place when Rosco Manufacturing announced its closure last May. “This program is an incentive to hire displaced workers,” Calvin said. “Basically the state committed to give $1,000 per employee to help train them at the new company. We’ve been extremely pleased with the success of the program,” he said. 

            Hal Whitethorne, CEO of Laser Cut said the company is “delighted that the state and the City of Madison have chosen to assist us in this growth project,” said Hal Whitethorne, CEO of Laser Cut. “We’d also like to thank the Madison Lake Area Improvement Corporation for its assistance,” he added.

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