Pennsylvania economic development officials recently announced the investment of more than $7 million in four Blair County companies to help them expand and create, or retain, more than 1,100 jobs within the next three years.

During a press conference at the Altoona Blair County Development Corp., Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky announced the following commonwealth investments through the Governor’s Action Team:

MEADWESTVACO, a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of school office, envelope and time management products, will create at least 25 new jobs within three years and retain 220 existing employees by expanding its operations and purchasing the former Solo Cup facility.

The DCED offered MeadWestvaco a funding package totaling $822,000 that includes a $722,000 loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA); a $75,000 Opportunity Grant; and $25,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits. The total cost of the MeadWestvaco expansion project is more than $2 million.

ORX RAILWAY CORP., a manufacturer of steel railcar wheels and axles that has experienced tremendous growth over the past three years, will create at least 15 new jobs within three years and retain 52 existing employees through the construction of a 60,000 square foot addition onto their existing facility, upgrade machinery and purchase additional machinery and equipment.

The DCED offered ORX Railway Corp a funding package totaling $3.53 million, including a PIDA loan up to $2.25 million; a $500,000 loan through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF); $490,000 through the Enterprise Zone Competitive Program; $250,000 through the Enterprise Zone Training Assistance; and $30,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits; and $15,000 in Job Training Assistance. The total cost of the ORX Railways expansion is $7.9 million.

TEAM TEN LLC, a manufacturer of fine grade uncoated roll papers, will create at least 12 new jobs within three years and retain 215 existing employees when it enters the sheet paper market. This endeavor will require the purchase of various paper machines and related equipment.

The DCED offered Team Ten a funding package totaling $725,000 that includes a $500,000 MELF loan and $225,000 in funding through the Enterprise Zone Competitive Zone Program.

THE WARNACO GROUP, a leading marketer of brassieres to U.S. specialty and department stores, will create at least 50 new jobs within three years and retain 527 existing employees when it leases an additional 650,000 square feet of space adjacent to its current facility in Blair county.

The DCED offered The Warnaco Group a funding package totaling $2 million that includes a $1.5 million MELF loan; a $250,000 Opportunity Grant; and $250,000 in Job Training Assistance. The total cost of this project will be at least $21 million.

GAT is comprised of economic-development professionals reporting directly to Governor Rendell, and serves as a single point of contact for businesses that consider 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.

Go to STATE SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this state.

Go to INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this industry sector.