Oshkosh turbine manufacturer gets $525,000 loan from state

From an article by Jeff Bollier in The Northwestern (Oshkosh):

Renewegy Inc. has sold its first eight wind turbines and its plans to ramp up manufacturing in 2010 earned the Oshkosh company recognition and financial support from Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday.

Doyle announced Renewegy would receive a $525,000 low-interest loan to help it purchase manufacturing equipment and create 40 jobs in the state's growing renewable energy industry.

"Yours is exactly the type of business we want to help grow and support," Doyle said. "We want to be good partners with you to make sure you grow and prosper."

Renewegy's Jeff Ehlers said Menasha's SCA Tissue has agreed to purchase two of the next eight turbines the company builds. Manitowoc's Orion Energy Systems has agreed to purchase one and has an option to purchase a second one as well. Others already purchased will head out of the state.

Ehlers said the company expects to have all tests and reviews of the 20-kilowatt turbine it has produced and mounted on its Jackson Street headquarters completed by summer 2010. Eight to 10 new employees would likely be added at that time, he said.

"We're proud to help lead the way in converting the manufacturing economy in Wisconsin to a clean, renewable energy industry," Ehlers said.

The 40 jobs Renewegy expects to create represent the tip of the iceberg. Ehlers pointed to the fact that more than 50 of the company's 60-plus parts suppliers are based in Wisconsin and said Renewegy's business has helped create or retain "a couple of hundred jobs already."