COLUMBUS, OHIO (News release) - The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved an arrangement between First Quality Tissue Midwest, LLC and Toledo Edison providing an electric rate arrangement at the company's planned Defiance expansion.

"This plan encourages First Quality to significantly invest in its Ohio facilities, as well as its employees," said PUCO Chair Jenifer French. "Both the state and local economy will benefit from this long-term arrangement."

First Quality Tissue Midwest is constructing a new production facility in Defiance, Ohio. The company plans to make a $985 million capital expenditure and create 407 full-time jobs with an annual payroll of $22.5 million. The company will be eligible for up to $1.2 million in annual electric bill savings, depending on the number of production lines opened over the next five years. First Quality Tissue Midwest will apply $400,000 of any savings towards employee training and retention programs and provide annual updates to the PUCO.

First Quality is a privately held, family-owned manufacturing company and a leading producer of everyday essential consumer products for the healthcare, retail, and commercial markets.

A copy of today's opinion and order is available on the PUCO website at PUCO.ohio.gov by clicking on the link to "Docketing Information System" and searching for case 26-523-EL-AEC.