News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 16, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Shakti Hawkins, Office of Sen. Paull Shin, 360-786-5795

Gov. Gary Locke Welcomes Biotech Company to Washington

Governor’s 2002 Trade Mission Key in Recruiting South Korean Company

LACEY – Jan. 16, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today welcomed South Korean biotech company Univera, Inc., to Washington state. Univera plans to move its U.S. headquarters from Colorado to Lacey this year, ultimately generating some 300 jobs in the South Sound.

Locke played an active role in attracting the company to Washington, including holding meetings with company officials during his trade mission to South Korea in 2002 and additional meetings in Olympia last year. He also credited Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, for his efforts to make the deal happen, as well as the City of Lacey and the Thurston County Economic Development Council.

“It took a lot of hard work, and we’re proud that Univera’s move to Washington is now a reality,” Locke said during a news conference with Univera officials and others today. “This will mean more jobs for our state – generating hundreds of good-paying jobs for the citizens of Lacey and the surrounding South Sound area.

“The good news we celebrate today is further proof that our trade missions pay off, and create more jobs for the people of Washington.”

Shin joined Locke at today’s news conference before hosting Univera officials at a luncheon and reception. “I am pleased that companies are realizing that Washington does indeed have a good atmosphere for business,” Shin said. “I will continue to work to attract quality companies to our beautiful state.”

Univera derives vitamins, soaps and cosmetics from aloe plants. The company is expected to move up to 150 employees to the South Sound this year, occupying a temporary facility in an industrial park in north Lacey by July. It plans to build a 40-acre campus for about 300 employees near the temporary location in the next three years.

“This move will create a geographic center for national and international expansion, with the additional benefit of improving efficiency, reducing costs and increasing profitability,” said Bill Lee, Univera’s chief executive officer. “It has been my dream for many years to have a corporate campus nestled in nature that integrates environmental components, such as natural air flow, natural lighting, botanical gardens and nature walking trails.”

Locke added, “Univera is exactly the kind of company that we’re working to attract to Washington. The biotech industry in our state is growing, and we must take steps to make sure we nurture that growth and remain a leader in this industry.”

The governor said that’s why he is promoting the Bio21 initiative – a public-private, non-profit partnership designed to further fund Washington state’s research capacity in biotechnology and information technology.

The initiative merges and builds on these two great strengths to cure diseases and promote medical breakthroughs. It establishes Washington as a global leader in computer and biological sciences. Locke said Bio21 has enormous potential to create new industries and thousands of good-paying jobs for the state.


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