Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development News
DCED Secretary Says Economic Development Efforts Showing Results in Eastern PA
Highlights 2 Manufacturing Facilities in Reading, Allentown.
ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 8 PRNewswire-USNewswire — The commonwealth's economic development investments in Lehigh and Berks counties are yielding results, Department of Community and Economic Secretary Dennis Yablonsky said today during a visit to the area.
Yablonsky toured the Carpenter Technology manufacturing facility in Reading this morning and later participated in a ribbon-cutting at International Battery's manufacturing facility in Allentown. Both facilities had recently been renovated or expanded with the help of state investments coordinated by the Governors Action Team.
"The impressive, world-class facilities I visited today show that Pennsylvania has become a desirable location for manufacturers," Yablonsky said. "International Battery, for example, could have gone anywhere, and the fact that it chose to locate in Pennsylvania speaks well of our business climate and the quality of our workers."
During his tour, Yablonsky observed the progress on construction of new melting furnaces at Carpenter Technology. The construction is part of a $113 million expansion project by the Wyomissing-based manufacturer of specialty metal materials. In return for an $11 million state investment, the company has committed to create 261 new jobs.
Later, Yablonsky participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new International Battery facility that will be used to manufacture a new line of batteries. The plant, the company's first in Pennsylvania, was established with the help of targeted state investments, which account for $11 million of the total $20 million project investment. As part of its commitment, the company has agreed to create 250 new jobs.
Yablonsky said both companies' projects were coordinated through the Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who serve as a single point-of-contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. Since 2003, GAT has successfully invested more than $240 million in funding to projects in Berks and Lehigh counties, which has leveraged more than $1.5 billion in additional investment.
Berks County had about 9,400 more jobs in March 2008 than in January 2003, and Lehigh county had about 8,200 more, Yablonsky noted.
For information on the Governor's Action Team and DCED programs, visit http://www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.
CONTACT:
Luke Webber
(717) 783-1132
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
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