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Medical Supply Company To Bring Nearly 500 Jobs To Western Wis.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Wisconsin medical supply company is growing.

On Thursday they announced they'll bring nearly 500 new jobs to people in the metro and in western Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker came to New Richmond along with the CEO of Phillips-Medisize. The company makes plastic used for medical supplies like insulin shots.

The two discussed the plan to expand Phillips-Medisize into the metro and western Wisconsin.

More than eight and half thousand people live in the town of New Richmond, Wis.

To Madelyn Hoogeem, a stylist at Perfect Reflection Salon, that's simply too few.

"Once your population hits a certain amount then the bigger stores will look at your community more, and maybe bring one of their businesses to you," Hoogeem said.

More people on the streets could mean filling her seats.

"They get more money they can come in for more personal services, like in the salon industry, because they can't afford it otherwise," she said.

But work may not always be easy to find.

"I hear about a lot of people; they're looking for a job," seasonal worker Jose Solomon, from California, said.

But Gov. Walker hoped this expansion would change that.

He joined Phillips - Medisize workers Thursday to celebrate.

"It means jobs, hundreds of jobs, that will pay great wages. That will help create not only more employment, but more importantly, more families will become more stable," Walker said.

The company who makes medical plastics, like casings for needles, will soon be making more, and will be hiring nearly 500 hundred people.

The company will be hiring employees ranging from entry level workers to skilled level engineers.

At least one applicant is already set.

Solomon says he plans to apply.

"Yes, of course. It's a nice town, quiet town and we feel comfortable in this town," Solomon said. "Hopefully this is going to be what we need that shot in the arm," Hoogeem

The company will be expanding also in Hudson, Wis. and Menomonie, Wis. They expect to recruit from Minneapolis to Eau Claire, Wis.

To find out how to apply, go Phillips-Medisize online.

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