Governor Tom Corbett announced that K-Fab Inc. will expand its operations to support new growth in the natural gas industry, increasing its employment to more than 300 in Berwick, Columbia County.
"My administration is committed to growing the Pennsylvania economy and ensuring there is a job available for every Pennsylvanian who wants one," Corbett said. "Today's announcement is a great example of state government working with business to create new job opportunities. As a result of this partnership, K-Fab will create 50 new manufacturing jobs in Columbia County."
K-Fab will expand its operations by purchasing an additional facility to support its new product line, machining, assembling, and painting pumps for the natural gas industry. The company will invest more than $2.4 million in renovations, infrastructure improvements, new equipment and employee training and has committed to creating at least 50 new jobs while retaining 266 within the next three years.
"The commonwealth, the Department of Community & Economic Development, the Governor's Action Team, and the Berwick Industrial Development Association have been tremendously helpful in providing timely assistance to us for this project," K-Fab System Manager Craig Barroll said. "It was great to have the backing we needed to keep this work in Pennsylvania."
The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) including $100,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, a $100,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $22,500 in guaranteed free training, and a $750,000 loan from the Machine and Equipment Loan Fund.
The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, or GAT, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. GAT worked with the Berwick Industrial Development Association Inc. (BIDA) to support K-Fab's expansion project.
"We applaud the decision of a major Berwick-area employer to increase its workforce and appreciate the support from the DCED," BIDA Executive Director Stephen Phillips said. "BIDA has worked closely with the Governor's Action Team on several other projects within its service area, and remains committed to assisting local employers expand their businesses and increase employment opportunities."
K-Fab, Inc. is a sole source manufacturer of material processing, fabrication, machine assembly, and paint that serves many different sectors of the manufacturing industry including pumps used in the Marcellus Shale Industry. Founded in 1969, K-Fab currently employs 266 at locations in the Berwick area.
For more information on K-Fab, Inc. visit www.kfabinc.com
For more information on the Governor's Action Team and other economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.