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Messer Construction Foundation Awards a Total of $75,000 to Program Recipients in 2008

(October 17, 2008)  Cincinnati, Ohio – Messer Construction Co. announces that the Messer Construction Foundation has selected three organizations to receive $25,000 grants: Easter Seals Central and Southeast Ohio, the “Rosie’s Girls” program of the Cincinnati YWCA, and YouthBuild Louisville.

The 2008 recipients were all sponsored by Messer employees, recommended by a committee composed of Messer employees, and approved by the Board of Directors. More than 60 applications were received and considered, resulting in the selection of the following organizations:

• Easter Seals of Central and Southeast Ohio provides services for people with disabilities or special needs and their families to live, learn, work and play in their communities. The Messer Foundation grant will help complete the funding of Easter Seals’ new 22,000-square-foot facility, effectively doubling the number of children who can begin receiving therapy.

• The “Rosie’s Girls” program of the Cincinnati YWCA is a three-week summer day camp for girls aged 11-13 years. Participants enhance their minds by learning how to work with their hands, combining hands-on instruction in skilled trades with expressive arts activities. The Messer Foundation funding will be used for capital projects created by the camp during the next three years.

• YouthBuild Louisville implements project activities which include GED, continuing education preparation, construction/trade skills development, hands-on construction experience, and career development activities. The Messer Foundation grant will be used to purchase curriculum and to train staff in order to provide character development and leadership courses.

“The ultimate goal of the Foundation is to engage our employees in the communities where they live and work, because vibrant communities benefit everyone,” said Kathleen C. Daly, president of the Messer Construction Foundation and chief financial officer of Messer Construction Co. “This year’s recipients are outstanding examples of programs that address issues like education, economic inclusion, and individual development.”

The Messer Construction Foundation was created to administer multi-year gifts from the company based upon recommendations provided through an employee-driven process. Criteria include: the expected return on investment to the community; the positive change expected from the Foundation’s investment; and Messer employee engagement and individual support for the organization. Each application must be endorsed by a Messer employee who will jointly sign the grant application.

About Messer Construction Co.
Messer Construction Co. is a regional general contractor and construction manager that provides leadership for complex building projects in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Founded in 1932, Messer has built a premier reputation for providing outstanding construction experiences and value to a diverse group of clients. In 2007, Messer put in place approximately $650 million in commercial construction.

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