Waukesha OKs incentives for Weldall expansion

By Laurel Walker of the Journal Sentinel

Waukesha - The Common Council has unanimously approved financial incentives for a plant expansion at Weldall Manufacturing that promises to create 75 manufacturing jobs.

The metal fabricator is planning a 76,000-square-foot addition to its plant at 2001 S. Prairie Ave. to allow for expansion of the company's product line.

According to the agreement, Waukesha would provide $975,000 in financing to offset construction. The funds would be repaid over a period up to 14 years from property taxes on increased value resulting from the project.

Until the financing district is closed out, the additional tax base is not shared with overlying taxing districts such as schools and the county.

The city is projecting a value of $6.5 million when the project is complete. Company officials list the value of the plant at $3.85 million.

The company, which provides 106 jobs, says the 75 new jobs will pay $19 an hour on average.

In addition to the Weldall site, the special tax district includes three other industrial sites that could provide additional development.

The district is east of S. Prairie Ave., south of Industrial Lane and west of the Canadian National Railroad right of way.

Approval from a joint review board is still required.

Earlier this month, the council approved tax incremental financing incentives for Waukesha Electric Systems Inc.

The firm will get $9 million in financial incentives toward a $40 million plant-and-operations expansion at 400 S. Prairie Ave. so it can produce a new line of large transformers.

The company plans to create 250 manufacturing jobs by 2014 as a result.