Freeport, Ohio - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today joined Freeport Press CEO David Pilcher, U.S. Congressman Zack Space, and other area leaders to announce 40 new jobs to support the company's expansion project in Freeport. The Finance Fund, a statewide nonprofit financial intermediary, assisted Freeport Press with the project.

"We are working every day to help businesses create new opportunities and new jobs in Ohio.  In recent months we've seen job growth in Ohio again because in recent years we've been investing in growing Ohio industries and jobs that can't be outsourced," Strickland said. "The Freeport Press is already the largest private employer in Harrison County, and the addition of another state-of-the-art printing press is expected to create 40 new jobs.  We're proud to have provided a loan to help make this new equipment purchase possible."

In May, Governor Strickland announced a $2.2 million 166 Direct Loan to support Freeport Press' expansion project that will add a new printing press, create 40 new jobs and retain 150 existing jobs. The loan was to The Finance Fund, which used New Market Tax Credits to provide financing for the $6.6 million total project.

"This new state-of-the-art printing press enables the Freeport Press to better serve its existing clients while creating a wonderful opportunity to grow the business," Pilcher said. "It also ensures job stability for our valued employees and their families."

"Being creative, innovative, and industrious is critical to bringing jobs to our region -- and Freeport Press has shown those qualities impressively," U.S. Congressman Space said. "They've been aggressive in making new investments and they've had the ingenuity and smarts to capitalize on emerging trends in the publishing industry. Working with Freeport Press has been a joy--and our joint effort to bring new jobs to Harrison County represents a perfect partnership between business and government."

Freeport Press, Harrison County's largest employer, was established in 1880 as a weekly newspaper and evolved into a commercial printing operation serving a diverse client base. It became a family-owned business when CEO David Pilcher became the sole owner in 2005.  The company has continued to grow in the midst of a downturn in the printing industry and the economy as a whole. In 2008, the company renovated and expanded their building and purchased the first of two state-of-the-art printing presses. The current project added the second printing press.