Pennsylvania Governor: Plan Will Promote Economic Growth, Jobs

In a September 16th press release of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced plans to help with businesses in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, that will lead to 463 new jobs and retain 85 jobs within the next 3 years as well as be the stimulus for approximately five and one third million dollars in private investments.

The press release stated that up to 3.6 million in State of Pennsylvania funds will be used to leverage the 5.3 million in private funds. There are five recipient companies in the Lackwanna County area to receive the monies, three of which are manufacturing companies.

The state monies include job opportunity grants, educational funds, and tax credits for providing jobs. The five companies receiving the funds are The New Mayflower Manufacturing Corporation, Northeast Laminated Glass Corporation, Oxford Management Services, TMR, Inc., and Two Chefs on a Roll.

The New Mayflower Manufacturing Corporation is a new company started this year that will manufacture clothing. The company has already filled 96 of its 110 expected positions in manufacturing. The company is renting 42,000 square feet in Old Forge, and will have the ability to cut material, and make and store clothing such as pants, uniforms and dresses. The company is obtaining from the State of Pensylvania $50,000 for an Opportunity Grant, $49,500 for specialized training, and $110,000 in tax credits for hiring targeted Pennsylvania workers.

Northeast Laminated Glass has rented about 100,000 square feet in the Jessup Industrial Park in Lackawanna Country. The startup company has received a grant of $36,000 for job training as well as a a loan of up to $1,402,000.00 from Pennsylvania's Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund. Northeast Laminated Glass expects to create at least 80 new manufacturing jobs in the next three years, and hopes to start off with 30 employees as of October 1st of this year. It will sell custom made laminated products for hurricane protection and blast protection markets.