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Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: State Investments Spur $6 Million in Private Sector Financing, 158 New Jobs for Columbia, Schuylkill Counties

Posted on: Thursday, 30 November 2006, 15:01 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that strategic support for three Pennsylvania companies will translate into nearly $6 million in private sector investments and create 158 new jobs in Columbia and Schuylkill counties.

"We've turned Pennsylvania's economy around by investing wisely in our companies, communities and people," said Governor Rendell. "The investments I am announcing today illustrate how this approach is working to strengthen Pennsylvania's economic climate. By strategically targeting our resources, we've been able to attract billions in private sector investment over the last four years and achieve record job counts the past seven consecutive months."

Pennsylvania added jobs in 13 of the past 14 months, with education and health services showing the biggest gain in October. The manufacturing industry added jobs for the first time in 15 months, up 700.

The Governor added that Columbia and Schuylkill counties have added more than 2,100 new jobs since January 2003.

"The benefits of this impressive turnaround are being felt in communities across Pennsylvania," said Governor Rendell. "We're revitalizing our towns and cities, helping our companies grow and compete, and putting more of our men and women to work. It's worked well, but more remains as we continue to create new opportunities for our residents and improve their quality of life."

The Governor said the three investment deals announced today will total $2.4 million and leverage more than double that amount in private investments, while also retaining 78 positions.

The details of the three projects are as follows: Columbia County

Care First Pharmacy Services (CFPS), a start-up company, will lease a 10,000-square-foot facility in the Berwick Industrial Development Authority Complex, creating 47 above-average-wage jobs within three years. The company is also investing in improvements to the facility. The Berwick Industrial Development Association, Inc. supported CFPS in its efforts to secure a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $25,000 Opportunity Grant and $21,150 in Customized Job Training (CJT) funds. The total cost of the project is $681,000. The company provides medications to residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities.

At least 63 new jobs will be created in Berwick with Patriot Metal Products Inc.'s $2.05 million expansion project. The metal finishing company will retain 20 existing positions when it renovates and adds 33,000 square feet of space to its existing 24,800-square-foot facility. Patriot Metal Products is also purchasing new and used equipment. DCED offered the company a $548,350 financial package including a $520,000 loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and $28,350 in CJT funds. The company is also eligible to apply for a $393,750 loan through the Citizens Job Bank program, which offers low-interest-rate loans to companies that commit to creating or expanding jobs in Pennsylvania.

Schuylkill County

Solar Innovations, Inc. is creating 48 new jobs by expanding and relocating its operation to Pine Grove. The custom manufacturer of conservatories, skylights, greenhouses, sunrooms, etc., is constructing a 150,000-plus-square-foot manufacturing facility and retaining 58 current employees. Solar Innovations will also purchase new equipment as part of its $5.65 million expansion project. DCED provided the company with an investment package totaling more than $1.85 million that includes a $1.74 million loan through PIDA, a $50,000 Opportunity Grant, $21,600 in CJT funds, and $48,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTC).

The Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation supported Solar Innovations in its efforts to secure funding offers from the commonwealth.

The projects were coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell and serves as a single point of contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The team works with domestic and international businesses and professional site consultants on projects possessing significant investment and job creation opportunities.

Statewide, 734 GAT projects have been successfully completed since 2003 resulting in commitments for the creation of 74,898 new jobs and the retention of 189,661 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $1.31 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $8.1 billion in additional investment.

For information on the Governor's Action Team and other DCED funding, visit http://www.newpa.com/ or call 1-866-GONEWPA (1-866-466-3972).

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Michael Smith 717-783-1116 Penny Kline (DCED) 717-783-1132

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Michael Smith, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116; Penny Kline, Pennsylvania Department of Community andEconomic Development, +1-717-783-1132

Web site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/http://www.newpa.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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