Gov. Edward G. Rendell recently announced the investment of $31.5 million to support Pennsylvania businesses and economic development projects in 16 counties that will help to create and retain 7,548 jobs.

The following loans were approved:

Allegheny County:

AEO Realty Co., LLC received a $2.25 million PIDA loan to acquire an existing 187,000-square-foot building on Hot Metal Street in the City of Pittsburgh. The building will serve as national headquarters for American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., a leading clothing retailer. The project will retain 500 jobs and create 325new jobs. The Pittsburgh Economic & Industrial Development Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Berks County:

Refractory Sales & Service Co., Incorporated received a $550,000 PIDA loan to acquire an existing 83,132-square-foot facility on Arlington Street in the City of Reading. IFS Industries Inc., which manufactures adhesives, coatings and polymers, will use the building to expand its operations. The company will retain 55 jobs. The Greater Berks Development Fund is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc. received a $2 million PIDA loan to construct a new 180,000-square-foot building in the Borough of Topton. The company manufactures batteries for automotive, telecommunications, marine and military applications. East Penn Manufacturing will retain 300 jobs. The Greater Berks Development Fund is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc. also received a $2 million PIDA loan to construct a new 600,000-square-foot building on Deka Road in Richmond Township. This project will allow the company to retain 3,968 jobs. The Greater Berks Development Fund is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Bucks County:

455 Dunskferry Road, LP received a $1.5 million PIDA loan to acquire an existing 79,092-square-foot facility on Dunksferry Road in Bensalem Township. The facility will be used as a multiple-occupancy building. Two companies, Iron Mountain Records Management and Metro Beverages of Philadelphia have signed on as tenants. The Bucks County Economic Development Fund is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

101 Lower Morrisville Road, Associates received a $902,000 PIDA loan to acquire an existing 55,688-square-foot building on Lower Morrisville Road in Falls Township. Griff and Associates, LP d/b/a Specialty Coated Products Inc., will use this facility to expand its manufacturing and distribution of specialty coated paper products. The company will retain 49 jobs and create 29 new positions. The Bucks County Economic Development Fund is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Clinton County:

First Quality Products, Inc. received a $2 million PIDA loan to expand an existing 273,600-square-foot facility on North Road in Wayne Township. First Quality Products is a manufacturer of disposable adult incontinence products. The facility is used for the company’s manufacturing operations. This project will retain 602 jobs and create 57 new positions. The Clinton County Economic Partnership is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Dauphin County:

Andrew S. McCreath & Son, Inc. received a $697,000 PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 27,300-square-foot facility on Bobabali Drive in Swatara Township. The building will be used as a testing facility to provide chemical analysis of metal ores, ferro alloys and minerals for industrial steel manufactures and wholesalers as well as for the U.S. Government’s Defense Logistics Agency. This project will retain 17 jobs and bring eight new jobs to Dauphin County. The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Delaware County:

Boninfante Racing, LLC received a $456,940 PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 19,900-square-foot facility on Industrial Park Drive in Yeadon Borough. The company will transfer its manufacturing of high performance Raybestos clutch discs and components to this site. This project will retain 14 jobs and add another 14 new jobs. The Delaware County Industrial Development Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Erie County:

Koehler Energy, Inc. received a $364,500 PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 17,000-square-foot facility on Manchester Road in Fairview Township. The company, a packager and distributor of firewood, will transfer its operations to this site. This project will retain three jobs and bring 22 new jobs to Erie. EIDCO, Inc. is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Fayette County:

Fay-Penn Economic Development Council received a $680,000 PIDA loan to expand an existing 14,111-square-foot, multiple-occupancy facility at the University Technology Park in North Union Township by 14,000-square-feet. The project will provide space for two additional tenants in the University Technology Park, which is currently filled to capacity.

Fay-Penn Economic Development Council also received a $900,000 PIDA loan to expand an existing 25,000-square-foot facility on Mountain View Drive in Georges Township by 10,000-sqaure-feet. The building will be used by Vertex Outsourcing, LLC for its call center and customer contact operations. This project will retain 305 jobs and create 45 new jobs.

Joseph and Patricia Putila received a $750,000 PIDA loan to construct a new 45,400-square-foot building on Route 51 in Menallen Township. The facility will be used by Gerome Manufacturing Company, which manufactures precision sheet metal projects. This project will retain 75 jobs. The Fayette Industrial Fund is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Huntingdon County:

Mutual Benefit Insurance Company received a $2.25 million PIDA loan to expand an existing 69,359-square-foot building on Penn Street in the borough of Huntingdon by 42,816-square-feet. Mutual Benefit Group, a regional independent agency, will use this space for its national headquarters. This project will create eight jobs and retain 199 existing employees. Huntingdon County Business and Industry, Inc. is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Lancaster County:

TKSW Associates, LP received an $840,000 PIDA loan to construct a new 29,400-square-foot building on Continental Drive in West Hempfield Township. Handrail Design, Inc., which manufactures and installs high-end handrail systems, will transfer its operation to this site. This project will create 21 jobs and retain 33 existing employees. EDC Finance Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Luzerne County:

Jaycee Associates received a $1.48 million PIDA loan to expand an existing 97,450-square-foot building on Jaycee Drive in Hazle Township by 44,400-square-feet. EAM Mosca Corporation, which manufactures and supplies plastic strapping and equipment, will use the additional space to accommodate expected growth. The company will retain 80 jobs and bring 15 new jobs to Luzerne County. The Greater Hazleton Community Area New Development Organization, Inc. is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Monroe County:

RR2 Airport Road, LLC received a $1.28 million PIDA loan to construct a new 30,000-square-foot building on Airport Road in Smithfield Township. Vigon International, a manufacturer of flavorings and fragrances, will expand its operations to this site. The company will retain 44 jobs and create 10 new positions. Pocono Mountain Industries is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Parker Realty Company received a $747,500 PIDA loan to construct a new 19,600-square-foot building on Business Route 209 in Stroud Township. The facility will be used by MegaPhase, LLC for its manufacturing and assembly of coaxial cable. The company will retain 20 jobs and create 20 new jobs. Pocono Mountain Industries is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Northampton County:

West North, LLC received a $2 million PIDA loan to construct a new 88,750-square-foot building on Glover Road in Forks Township. Modern Pre-Cast Concrete Inc., a manufacturer and wholesaler of pre-cast concrete construction products, will expand its operations to this site. The company will retain 44 jobs and bring 90 new jobs to Northampton County. Pocono Mountain Industries is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Philadelphia:

University City Science Center received a $1 million PIDA loan to renovate an existing 16,646-square-foot building on Market Street in Philadelphia. The site will be used as a multiple-occupancy building for 19 tenants. University City Science Center is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Henry H. Ottens Manufacturing Co., Inc. received a $760,000 PIDA loan to expand an existing 65,000-square-foot building on Holstein Avenue in Philadelphia by 10,500-square-feet. The company, which manufactures flavors and food additives, will expand its operations. The project will retain 94 jobs. PIDC Financing Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Liberty Bear, LLC received a $2 million PIDA loan to construct a new 138,236-square-foot building on South 3rd Street in Philadelphia. The site will be used as a cold storage warehouse facility primarily for specialty seafood. The company will create 70 new jobs. PIDC Financing Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Today’s Business Park, LP received a $1 million PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 40,746-square-foot building on Enterprise Avenue in Philadelphia. The company, which completes digital printing for commercial customers, will transfer its operations to this site. The project will retain 68 jobs. PIDC Financing Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Caplan & Yuen Ventures, LLC received a $450,000 PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 33,350-square-foot building on East Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia. The site will be used by Worldwide Fabricating, LTD for its window treatments operations. The company will create 15 jobs and retain 40 existing employees with this project. PIDC Financing Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Schuylkill County:

First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. received a $2.1 million PIDA loan to expand an existing 100,000-square-foot building on Green Mountain Road in East Union Township by 50,000-square-feet. The facility will allow First Quality Nonwovens, which manufactures spun-melt nonwoven material for commercial hygiene, medical and industrial uses, to expand its operations. The project will create 64 jobs and retain 225 existing employees. The Greater Hazleton Community Area New Development Organization is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Westmoreland County:

EFR Family Partnership, LP received a $523,120 PIDA loan to construct a new 22,000-square-foot, multiple-occupancy building in Westmoreland Airpark in Unity Township. Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland is the sponsoring local economic development agency.