Pennsylvania announced the investment of $5.3 million to support manufacturing firms in Allegheny, Centre, Lehigh, Mifflin and Washington counties. The projects are expected to create 54 new jobs and retain 269 positions.

PIDA provides low-interest loans through local industrial development corporations for land and building acquisition and construction or renovation. The program targets manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers establishing national or regional headquarters.

The following loans were approved by PIDA:

Allegheny County: Linmar Realty Co. II will receive a $2 million PIDA loan to construct a 46,000-square-foot building on Thorn Hill Road in Warrendale. American Eagle Outfitters Inc., a manufacturer of retail clothing, will use the facility as an operations center. This project will retain 190 jobs. The Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Centre County: Nicholas P. and Tammy Jo Koleno will receive a $1,404,400 PIDA loan to construct a 40,000-square-foot building on Lots 31 and 32 of Penn Eagle Industrial Park in Bellefonte. Quality Machining Inc. will use the site to manufacture 3D parts. The project will retain 25 employees and bring 16 new jobs to the county. The Centre County Industrial Development Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Lehigh County: George Reitz will receive a $977,200 PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 73,018-square-foot building on Broad Street in Emmaus. American Millwork and Cabinetry Inc. will use the site to house its architectural millwork and cabinetry manufacturing operations. This project will create 27 new jobs and retain 15 employees. Lehigh’s Economic Advancement Project Inc. is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Mifflin County: Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation will receive a $130,000 PIDA loan to acquire and renovate an existing 25,200-square-foot building within the MCIDC Plaza in Lewistown. Barry T. Wilkins d/b/a PA Insulating Glass, a manufacturer of glass doors and window panels, will occupy the site. The facility will be used for manufacturing operations. This project will retain nine employees and create six new jobs. The Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation is the sponsoring local economic development agency.

Washington County: Robert B. Patterson will receive an $840,000 PIDA loan to construct a new 36,000-square-foot building on Washington Street in Donora. Pittsburgh Flexicore Co. will use the site to manufacture precast concrete structures. The project will retain 30 employees and bring five new jobs to the county. The Middle Monongahela Industrial Development Association Inc. is the sponsoring local economic development agency.