| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 15, 2001 | Doug Champeau (651-296-4305) |
ST. PAUL -- Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) recently met with representatives of the Strongwell company of Chatfield during "Business Day at the Capitol." Product engineers Harlin Taylor and Dennis McMonigal talked to Davids about issues that affect business, from taxes to regulatory policies.
"The Strongwell company shares many of the same problems that other small- and medium-sized companies do in Minnesota," Davids said. "High taxes, costly regulations and access to good employees. I was reminded just how important it is to create state policy that doesn't put Minnesota and companies like Strongwell at a competitive disadvantage."
The Chatfield Strongwell division is part the Virgina-based Strongwell company, a leader in the manufacture of pultruded fiberglass and plastics used for grating and support systems. Employment in Minnesota's overall plastics industry totaled 32,500 in 1999 -- a 34 percent increase in just five years -- ranking Minnesota 15th in plastics industry employment. Plastic shipments in the state totaled a whopping $5.2 billion in 1999. Besides Strongwell, there are 594 other plastic facilities in Minnesota.
"I'm proud to have companies like Strongwell in our part of the state," said Davids, who is chair of the House Commerce Committee which deals with business regulation. "The plastics industry grows jobs. Government can't do that. But government can help create the environment for companies like Strongwell to succeed in Minnesota."
--30--