Sep 18, 2006- New Jobs in Ottawa County

Cleveland-based Brush Wellman, the world's only fully integrated producer ofberyllium, chose Elmore over another company facility located in Utahas the site for the $40-60 million investment in a primary beryllium facility.

"This is a red-letter day for Elmore and for Ottawa County,"said Congresswoman Kaptur, who has worked to appropriate more than $18 millionfrom the U.S Department of Defense for beryllium production as a strategicmetal in defense preparedness. Kaptur is a member of the influentialDefense Appropriations Subcommittee in the House of Representatives.

"Brush Wellman already employs almost 600 workers at the Elmore plant,making it one of the major employers in the area. This announcement willstrengthen the position of the Elmore plant as a key cog in our nationaldefense preparedness strategy," said Congresswoman Kaptur.

Brush Wellman's decision to locate the primary beryllium facility in Elmorewas determined in part through design and engineering work over the past yearthat was funded under a $9 million contract as part of the Defense ProductionAct. Brush officials cited state and local incentives, the availabilityof an experienced workforce, and the proximity to other support services as keyfactors in choosing Elmore over the Utahsite.

"We know it was a tough decision," said Congresswoman Kaptur, "but we knowthe company made the right choice when it decided to invest in the Elmorefacility and the workers here. This announcement truly demonstrates whatcan happen when all parties work together."

Under a public-private cost sharing partnership created under the DefenseProduction Act, Brush Wellman will provide the land, buildings and technologywhile the government will fund engineering and design as well as equipment. Construction is expected to becompleted within approximately three years.

"Congresswoman Kaptur and Brush Wellman officials greet a worker during shiftchange at the Elmore plant. Congresswoman Kaptur announced the creationof a new $40-60 million investment that will create more jobs at the Elmorefacility."