State's Economic Development Director Touts Wind Power and the Green Economy as Key to Economic Recovery

GRANITE CITY - Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley today visited Heidtman Steel Products, the largest privately held flat-rolled steel service network in the United States, to highlight the efforts by the Quinn administration to retool the Illinois economy to spur thousands of green industry businesses and jobs. DCEO awarded Heidtman Steel a $645,000 Green Industry Business Development Grant that will create 11 jobs at the company and encourage the company's efforts to expand into the Green Economy.

"Our traditional manufacturers can expand and grow by retrofitting their processes to incorporate green technology," said Director Warren Ribley. "Heidtman Steel is a perfect example of a company that is looking to the future of wind power.  Our investment in their project creates new opportunities for the businesses, workers, and homeowners in this region."

Heidtman Steel is an Illinois manufacturer of flat-rolled high strength steel products for the automotive, truck and bus, construction and other industries and has been in business since 1954.  The Green Industry Business Development Grant allows the company to purchase equipment that will enable it to produce coil and sheet steel for the wind energy industry.  Coil and sheet steel products will be used in the production of tower sections, ladders for maintenance equipment, gearboxes and other applications for wind turbine components.  Heidtman Steel's project will create 11 manufacturing jobs.

"Heidtman Steel Products would like to thank the State of Illinois for this grant funding, which provides the opportunity for Heidtman to expand into new markets and service the needs of the rapidly growing wind energy industry sector," said Tim Berra, President of Heidtman Steel Products.

The State Energy Plan is providing more than $100 million in grants statewide, resulting in more than 12,000 green sector jobs being created over the next two years. More information about the State Energy Plan administered by DCEO's State Energy Office is at www.ildceo.net.