PACIFIC PULMONARY SERVICES TO LOCATE NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IN LEXINGTON

Project to create more than 200 employment opportunities, $1.6 million investment

Governor Steve Beshear and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary John Hindman announced home respiratory therapy provider Pacific Pulmonary Services will locate a customer care center in Lexington. The company will create over 200 full-time positions, while investing over $1.6 million in central Kentucky.

"My administration is committed to creating more and better economic opportunities for the citizens of Kentucky," said Governor Beshear. "Pacific Pulmonary Services’ decision to locate in Lexington and create hundreds of jobs will greatly enhance the state’s health care industry."

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Pacific Pulmonary Services for tax benefits up to $2.5 million under the Kentucky Jobs Development Act, an incentive program designed to attract and expand technology- and service-related industries in the state.

"Pacific Pulmonary Services will make an excellent addition to the Lexington business community," said Secretary Hindman. "The Cabinet is pleased to partner with Commerce Lexington and the city of Lexington to bring this project to fruition. We look forward to working with Pacific Pulmonary Services as they grow right here in central Kentucky."

Pacific Pulmonary Services was formed in 1993, and focused on providing home respiratory therapy services in 1997. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company is the largest privately-held provider of home oxygen, respiratory medications and sleep apnea equipment and services in the U.S., operating more than 100 patient care centers in 15 states.

"We are excited to open our first customer care center in Lexington," said Chad Martin, CFO of Pacific Pulmonary Services. "We conducted a national search for a location that would provide us with a supportive community, high labor quality, and great growth opportunities. Lexington, and the state of Kentucky, exceeded our expectations. I am confident this new facility and its employees will provide world-class support to our patients and physicians."

Pacific Pulmonary Services hired Site Selection Group, a consulting firm, to identify the community most compatible with the company’s operating requirements in the areas of labor availability, real estate and economic incentives. "We are pleased that Site Selection Group was able to help build a foundation for an equitable and sustainable partnership between Pacific Pulmonary Services, the city of Lexington and the state of Kentucky," said Site Selection Group Vice President Christine Sullivan.

The company will occupy an existing 26,500 square-foot facility located on Georgetown Road. Operations are expected to begin by February 2008. Information on available career opportunities for the Pacific Pulmonary Services Lexington customer care center can be found at www.ppsc.com

"This is another example of the importance of our growing health care sector," said Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry. "The health care sector includes many of our largest employers and largest pa