Pennsylvania economic development officials recently announced more than $8 million in incentives and loans to six counties to support nine acquisition, expansion and site development projects that are expected to create 118 jobs and retain another 187 positions.

The investments were approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, which provides low-interest loans through local industrial development corporations for land and building acquisition, construction or renovation projects. The program targets manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers establishing national or regional headquarters here.

In its 50-year history, the authority has invested $2.3 billion, which has leveraged an additional $7.2 billion in local and private capital, to build more than 300 industrial parks and business incubators in the commonwealth. On average, PIDA invests an average of $46.5 million annually to help create and retain more than 800,000 jobs throughout Pennsylvania.

Working with local economic development organizations, PIDA recently approved the following nine loans:

Beaver County:

KMA Manufacturing Inc., an industrial parts manufacturer for the steel industry, will receive a $1 million PIDA loan for the acquisition of a new facility in Vanport Township. All 21 employees will be transferred to the new location. In addition, at least 15 new jobs are expected to be created. This funding is part of a $4.9 million Governor’s Action Team funding package announced January 2006. The Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development is the sponsoring local development agency.

Wolverine Plastics Inc., a plastics manufacturer, will receive a $507,000 PIDA loan for acquisition of their current 27,000-square-foot facility in Franklin Township. The company will retain its 38 employees and has the potential to expand, creating an additional 30 jobs. The Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development is the sponsoring local development agency.

Berks County:

The Greater Berks Development Fund will receive a $2 million PIDA loan to acquire the 292,000-square-foot former GPU building in Bern Township. This funding is part of a $10.8 million Governor’s Action Team funding package announced October 2005 to DirectLink Technologies Corp. The data management service provider will occupy 10 percent of the building and will create 860 jobs throughout the commonwealth. The remainder of the building will be leased to additional employers.

Bucks County:

Pilot Engineering Group Inc., a pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer, will receive a $622,500 PIDA loan to purchase a 46,000-square-foot building in Hilltown Township. The organization currently has 25 employees that will be transferred to the new facility, with plans to create at least 20 new jobs. The Bucks County Economic Development Corporation is the sponsoring local development agency.

UTP Acquisition Inc., a custom plastic molding manufacturer, will receive a $480,000 PIDA loan to acquire the facility they are currently leasing in Falls Township. The company will retain its 11 employees, and is expected to create at least 14 new jobs. The Bucks County Economic Development Corporation is the sponsoring local development agency.

The Bucks County Economic Development Corporation will receive a $300,000 PIDA loan to construct a 25,000-square-foot building in the municipality of Croydon. The new, multi-occupancy building will be in an industrial section of an Enterprise Zone.

Dauphin County

Atlantic Coast Packaging LLC, a volume packaging company, will receive a $575,000 PIDA loan to acquire the 104,000-square-foot facility that they have been leasing for the past nine months in Harrisburg. All of the companies 75 employees will be retained as a result of this funding. The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation is the sponsoring local development agency.

Philadelphia County

Oak Lane Printing & Letter Service Inc, a commercial printing company, will receive a $588,000 PIDA loan for relocation costs to help consolidate the organization. The company currently operates out of both New Jersey and Philadelphia, but will transfer the 39 out-of-state employees to the Philadelphia facility, where 17 employees currently work. PIDC Financing Corporation is the sponsoring local development agency.

Westmoreland County

The Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland County will receive a $2 million PIDA loan for acquisition and renovation of the former Supervalu facility in Belle Vernon. The two buildings that make up the site, which have been vacant for nearly six years, will have the opportunity to house between four and eight tenants, primarily in the fields of manufacturing and warehouse distribution.

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