FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2002

SCHUMER, LOCAL LEADERS PLOT NEXT STEPS ON NEW WASHINGTON MUTUAL FACILITY

Washington Mutual expected to add about 600 new jobs in the next 12-18 months

Business, government, and economic development leaders join Senator on tour of renovated facility he successfully lobbied for

US Senator Charles Schumer today toured the Washington Mutual Customer Contact Center in Albion with Orleans County leaders and heard from senior bank officials on new job projections for the renovated facility. The tour came after last year's effort by Schumer and state and local officials to keep the former Dime Bank facility open after it was purchased by Washington Mutual.

Schumer became involved in the effort after meeting with Orleans County economic development officials last year. Local officials were concerned that Washington Mutual would close the facility as part of their takeover of Dime, a move that would have resulted in the loss of more than 450 jobs. Schumer, Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy, met with Washington Mutual CEO Kerry Killinger in his Senate office in September 2001 to press the case for the Albion facility. During that meeting, Schumer emphasized the importance of keeping the facility open and encouraged Killinger to meet with economic development officials from Orleans County to hear their pitch for the Albion site.

"Washington Mutual really came through for Albion and I can't thank them enough," Schumer said. "Mr. Killinger and other officials here at Washington Mutual kept an open mind and gave us an opportunity to make our case for why the Orleans County facility could be an integral part of Washington Mutual's East Coast expansion. The success of this facility today is a testament to the dedication of the company and its commitment to the good people of the Albion area. Last year, they listened to our pleas to stay in the area, and this year the facility is alive and doing well."

The Dime facility became the largest employer in Orleans County in 1995 when Mattell took over Fisher Price and closed the Fisher Price Medina plant, resulting in a loss of about 900 jobs. The Albion facility's workforce is at about 450 right now and will likely increase to 1100 over the next 12 to 18 months, according to Washington Mutual officials.

County Administrator Stan Dudek, Industrial Development Agency Director Don Kennedy, Orleans County Chamber President David Kelly, and other officials joined Schumer.

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