WORLD WIND ENERGY NET

Governor Awards $177,000 in CDBG Funding to Support Operations
June 17, 2008 -- Columbus, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman was among those celebrating the opening of a new business today. Katana Summit, LLC, selected Columbus as the site for its new manufacturing facility.

At the event, the Governor announced $177,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help city and county officials construct a road to provide access to the site. Katana Summit manufactures 80 and 90 meter steel wind turbine towers and the grant will help build and pave a road to support traffic at the facility.

The city of Columbus will provide $100,000 in additional funds for the road project with Platte County providing in-kind support of labor, equipment and materials to complete the project.

“We’re very pleased that Katana Summit has chosen to locate here in Nebraska,” Gov. Heineman said. “With the interest in expanding our wind energy potential, I’m excited to see a company providing the infrastructure for this growing industry opening for business.”

The new Katana Summit facility represents a $20 million investment and is expected to create 100 jobs in the Columbus and Platte County area. The company is a partnership of Katana Industries, Inc., Sumitomo Corporation of America, and SC Steel Investment, LLC.

Richard Baier, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), said, “The Nebraska Advantage incentives package and this CDBG funding have helped bring a great business development project here to Columbus. We’re delighted to add Katana Summit to the growing field of alternative energy manufacturers with operations here in Nebraska.”

Those involved in the public-private partnership supporting Katana Summit’s expansion to Columbus include DED, the Platte County Board of Supervisors, the city of Columbus, Loup Public Power District, and the Columbus Area Economic Development Council.