FORT WAYNE, Ind. (August 24, 2005) ? Governor Mitch Daniels joined local officials and representatives of three Fort Wayne companies as they announced expansions or relocations that will create more than 180 new jobs for the Allen County area.

Centennial Communications? U.S. Wireless will relocate its corporate headquarters in Fort Wayne to a larger facility and add 66 positions; Mullinix Packages, Inc., will expand its manufacturing facility and add 60 jobs, and Raytheon Company will expand its existing operations in Fort Wayne and add 63 new jobs.

?These companies, which already have a solid presence in Fort Wayne, are making additional investments to increase their operations. Indiana is a good place to do business. Centennial Communications, Mullinix and Raytheon are among the companies who have recognized Hoosiers have much to offer,? said Daniels. ?These kinds of expansions that create good-paying jobs for Hoosiers typify the strides we are making in growth throughout Indiana.?

Centennial Communications? U.S. Wireless operation plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to a larger facility that will accommodate the addition of 66 new executive, engineering, information technology, data management, accounting and marketing jobs. The company will invest more than $2.1 million in improvements and equipment in 51,000 square feet of leased space at 2424 West State Boulevard.

Mullinix Packages, Inc., a Fort Wayne-based manufacturer of thermoformed plastic packaging for the food industry, will invest $17.95 million to expand its manufacturing facility at 3511 Engle Road. The expansion will include a building addition, as well as the purchase of machinery, equipment and computer hardware. About 60 new jobs will be added to the current workforce of 300 full-time employees.

Raytheon Company, an industry leader in developing defense technologies and converting them for use in commercial markets, will expand its existing operations in Fort Wayne and create 63 new jobs in the next six months. The company?s reputation for excellence in system and software engineering has made it successful in the high-technology industry.

Details about the Centennial Communications headquarters relocation and Mullinix Packages expansion, including information about state involvement, can be found in Indiana Economic Development Corporation news releases posted at http://www.iedc.in.gov/, click on news and press releases.