9-30-13 employment growth

The president of the Fond du lac County Economic Development Corporation says the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show continued strong employment growth for the Fond du Lac Metro area.   While total non-farm growth was close to the national average, the growth in the FDL area manufacturing sector was 4.8 percent compared to 1.6 percent for the nation.  FCEDC president Steve Jenkins says expansions at Mercury Marine, Wells Vehicle Electronics, Alliance Laundry Systems and McNeilus Steel all contributed to employment growth.  Jenkins says these projects were supported by the half cent sales tax…approved in 2009 as part of an economic incentive package to keep Merc in Fond du Lac.  That sales tax is scheduled to sunset in eight years,  but Jenkins says as an economic  development tool he hopes it continues.