Belvidere Selected for New High-Tech Facility

CHICAGO -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that NDK America, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., has selected Belvidere, Illinois for a new, state-of-the-art facility combining manufacturing with research and development, executive office functions, warehousing, and sales and marketing. The project will lead to the creation of at least fifty new jobs and will employ construction workers over the next fifteen months.

"This project represents my commitment to economic development in Illinois by combining aspects of international trade and high-tech manufacturing," said Ryan. "The jobs created by the project will have a great impact on Belvidere and the people of Boone County. I want to thank the people of NDK for joining with the people of Illinois to make this project a reality."

"This new plant will produce the highest quality synthetic quartz crystals in the world," said Mr. Michael Walczak, president and director of NDK America, Inc. "These products are used in the telecommunications industry, watch manufacturing, and computer hardware production worldwide. The cooperation and assistance we have received from Belvidere and the State of Illinois was instrumental in our final decision to locate this facility in Belvidere."

Belvidere was chosen for the new headquarters after NDK considered sites in several Wisconsin and Illinois communities.

NDK is eligible for tax credits through the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Program. The EDGE program is a targeted tax incentive program that provides tax credits for businesses that create new jobs and make capital investments in Illinois. The company can also apply for worker training grants through the Industrial Training Program (ITP). The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) administers both programs.

"Governor Ryan has sought to expand Illinois' presence throughout the world not only through the opening of new trade offices but also through an increase in foreign direct investment," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "NDK's selection of Belvidere for this project shows why Illinois is the top destination in the Midwest for foreign investment."

The new facility, located in the Sager Industrial Park, will represent an investment of approximately $12.5 million. It will be about 50,000 square feet in size, with 34,000 square feet of that space devoted to manufacturing. The company expects to expand this facility within the next few years in order to accommodate additional manufacturing.