Ruud Lighting Officially Breaks Ground for Expansion, New Jobs

Heavy construction equipment is already on-site moving dirt, but today marked the official groundbreaking for Ruud Lighting's 208,000 square foot addition in .

The company is adding 469 jobs over the next five years and growing its share of the LED market. After being purchased in August by Cree, a North Carolina LED company, Ruud announced its expansion and that included returning the new building's property taxes to the company for three years to help offset its $24.5 million investment. That deal expanded to five years, totaling about $2.5 million or $490,000 a year.

An economic package totaling some $8 million combines assistance from the state, primarily through manufacturing job credits; the county through a loan program administered by Racine County Economic Development Corporation; and from Sturtevant through the tax increment return.

"If it weren't for these incentives, this expansion would not be happening," said Chuck Swoboda, chairman and CEO of Cree. "Jobs don't happen by accident. In part, it takes government policies and incentives to help companies create new markets so businesses can create the products for those markets."

The new addition is the fifth expansion on the site, Christopher Ruud told visitors, and, hopefully, won't be the last.

Governor Scott Walker, Representatives Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Cory Mason (D-Racine), State Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig, City of Racine Mayor John Dickert and Sturtevant Village Administrator Mark Janiuk were on hand to participate in the ceremony.

Despite the presence of protesters who, despite being more than 100 yards away, were both visible and audible during the ceremony, the focus remained on Ruud's expansion and the new jobs.