Tower to receive NIS 150 million non-refundable cash grants from Israeli Investment Center

MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL: TowerJazz, a global specialty foundry leader, announced that the Israeli Investment Center Committee has officially approved grants of up to NIS 150 million (approximately $42 million) to the company, related to investments in fab2 cap-ex over the years 2006-2011.

This resolves the open discussions with regard thereto held during the past years between the company and the Investment Center.

Grants payment to Tower is expected to be done over the upcoming two years, with the majority of the funds during 2011.

The investment center committee is an Israeli governmental institute, comprised of representatives from Finance & Industry Ministries, and its approval is to be followed by an official approval certificate to be provided for Tower by the Israeli Investment Center, a governmental agency subordinated to the Israeli Ministry of Employment, Trade & Industry. Such approval certificate will include the details and exact terms of the grants.

The grants are not refundable, do not constitute a loan of any kind, do not carry interest, and are a pure participation by the Israeli government in cap-ex costs of companies investing in peripheral areas such as Migdal Haemek, in which fab2 is located.

Russell Ellwanger, CEO of TowerJazz stated: “I am thrilled with the opportunity to lead the company in its next stage of growth. Since coming to the company in 2005, we have increased the 200mm fab capacity in Migdal Haemek by more than 3x and seen the company revenue grow more than 5x. The approval of the government grant will enable us to increase the 200mm factory in Migdal Haemek to its full capacity, allowing continued service to a growing customer base and further employment opportunities in the north of Israel.

"I wish to thank Migdal Haemek Mayor Mr. Eli Barda for his vision of the importance of sustainable and differentiated manufacturing as an engine for community growth, our Chairman Mr. Amir Elstein for tireless activity to see this to completion with the various governmental ministries and our strategic shareholders for their continued support and encouragement.”

Amir Elstein, chairman of TowerJazz, stated: “As an Israeli headquartered company we are mindful to contribute to the country while providing value to our shareholders and serving our worldwide customer base. I am pleased that the government understands TowerJazz’ key role as not just a leading high tech company, but a leading high tech company with major manufacturing facilities in the north of Israel.

"With the government taking part in the investment strategy of the company we are pleased to continue our growth by investing heavily in the Migdal Haemek facility, which in turn will provide meaningful employment to an additional several hundreds of families residing in that region.”