SUSSEX, Wis. - Quad/Graphics, a Wisconsin-based printing company, is receiving up to $3 million in tax credits to create as many as 750 new jobs, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Thursday.

The award is part of Doyle's expansion of the state's Enterprise Development Zone to spur economic growth. The program provides a total of $51 million in tax credits to help state businesses grow, Doyle said.

Flanked by Quad/Graphics executives at the firm's headquarters, Doyle told the crowd of about 250 workers that the tax credits will effectively reward the company if it expands its Wisconsin work force by up to 750 people by the year 2010.

"There are certain companies that are our flagships, that represent what our state is all about," Doyle said. "Quad/Graphics has become one of those companies, and we're proud to be a small partner in its success."

The award has already been approved by the state Department of Commerce, Doyle said.

Quad/Graphics is a commercial printer of magazines such as Time and National Geographic and catalogs for companies such as Victoria's Secret and J.Crew. The firm also holds advertising insert contracts with Target Stores, Kmart and Kohl's department stores.

Quad/Graphics has five Wisconsin printing plants that employ a total of about 7,000 people.

Since 2004, Quad/Graphics has already added 330 jobs through an investment in newer machinery and upgraded facilities. The company is looking to fill another 155 openings at present.

Company spokeswoman Claire Ho said the tax credits give the company incentive to strengthen its Wisconsin presence.

"Over time we do have options to grow jobs in other states, but the credits reinforce the good feelings we have of working in this state," she said.

Most of the new jobs would be in the Sussex plant and the rest at the firm's plants in Hartford and Lomira, according to company officials.

The positions will be mainly production technicians and will pay between $9 to $16 per hour with full benefits, said Joel Quadracci, the company's president and chief operating officer.

"Most people don't think of printing as high tech, but these will all be high tech jobs," he said. "As baby boomers are retiring, it's hard to find talented people. We're starting to recruit in churches, in the inner city, wherever we can find good people."

The high-tech nature of the jobs underscores the need for good technical education, Doyle said.

"It's great that companies have in-house training programs. But it's vital that we maintain a great technical college system in the state," Doyle said.

Quad/Graphics opened its first printing plant in Pewaukee in 1971. The company now owns 18 facilities in 11 states and has about 12,000 employees worldwide.

Read the story at the Janesville Gazette website.