Gov. Jim Doyle announced nearly $2 million in loans for Wisconsin companies Friday.
Logistics Health Inc. in La Crosse received a $1.5 million loan, and biotech company Minitube of America is set to receive $370,000.
The loans were given to encourage job creation at each company. LHI is expected to create 290 new full-time jobs with the funds, and Minitube is expected to create 136 new positions.
State Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, who announced the loans with Doyle, said the 290 new full-time employees at LHI will each receive an average wage of $18 per hour.
""LHI has proven to be an innovative leader in health services. The growing demand for LHI's services is a testament to the strength of this company and the dedication and hard work of all the LHI employees,"" she said in a statement.
Minitube currently has 120 employees and is part of Wisconsin's $8.7 billion bioscience industry. According to a statement from Doyle's office, Wisconsin welcomed eight new biotech companies to the state in the past four months.
Both loans were provided through the Wisconsin Development Fund by the Department of Commerce. According to Shilling, the WDF has contributed to encouraging economic growth in businesses across Wisconsin.
Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee were not available for comment.
—Sarah Zipperle
