April 27, 2006 — /PRNewswire/ — NORTH TOWANDA TWP., Pa. — Three years after announcing a $3 million investment to support DuPont’s expansion in Bradford County, Governor Rendell today joined company officials and community leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
Governor Rendell said the company expects to create approximately 30 new positions with this $80 million project.
“This is great news for Bradford County and is proof that our investments are helping to create new opportunities for the region’s hardworking men and women,” said Governor Rendell. “Here, and across Pennsylvania, more and more companies are finding a business climate that suits their needs and helps them grow and succeed.
“This project speaks volumes about the importance of investing in Pennsylvania’s businesses and people. By choosing to expand in North Towanda, DuPont has injected tens of millions of dollars into the local economy, which will help the entire area.”
In June 2003, Governor Rendell announced that the commonwealth would invest $2.9 million to help DuPont retain 600 employees by conducting research, product development and marketing activities to promote its thermal color filters for liquid crystal displays and fuel cell businesses.
The new facility will manufacture pigmented films used to produce color filter components for LCD flat panel displays.
Additionally, DuPont’s fuel cell technology development program, which is supported by the state’s Opportunity Grant Program, is moving forward in existing Towanda facilities.
“DuPont’s success is Pennsylvania’s success and that is why we are investing in the company’s vision of becoming a leading global supplier of fuel cell membranes and components,” the Governor said. “The commonwealth is already home to one of the nation’s most progressive alternative energy portfolio standards, guaranteeing that 18 percent of all generated energy comes from clean, efficient sources by 2020.
“Our investment in DuPont is an investment in a cleaner future for all Pennsylvanians.”
The Governor’s Action Team offered the company a package of loans and grants, including a $2 million Opportunity Grant, a loan of up to $500,000 through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund, and up to $400,000 in Customized Job Training funding.
In addition to the funds awarded through GAT, the company is also eligible to receive up to $15 million in funding through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and historical improvement projects. Governor Rendell has issued a total of $737 million in RACP grants for 259 projects that will eventually bring more than 91,000 jobs to the commonwealth.
Since Governor Rendell took office in 2003, the commonwealth has invested more than $61.3 million in 102 projects in Bradford County.
During 2005, GAT successfully completed 205 projects that resulted in commitments for 19,793 new jobs and 39,972 existing jobs to be retained. The state provided more than $418 million in assistance for these projects, which leveraged more than $1.9 billion in additional funds.
Founded in 1802, DuPont operates in more than 70 countries and offers a wide range of products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel. The company employs 60,000 people worldwide and has more than 40 research and development and customer service labs in the U.S.
For information on the Governor’s Action Team and other DCED funding, visit http://www.newpa.com/ or call 1-866-GONEWPA (1-866-466-3972).
To learn more about DuPont, visit http://www.dupont.com/.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell’s initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.
CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116; or Penny Kline (DCED), +1-717-783-1132.
Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116; or Penny Kline (DCED), +1-717-783-1132
Web site: http://www.dupont.com/
Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/
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http://www.governor.state.pa.us/