Governor Josh Shapiro announced the Commonwealth has secured an $8 million investment from Farm Plast, a manufacturer of sustainable injection molded milk crates and other containers, to establish its first Pennsylvania manufacturing facility in Muncy, Lycoming County. Through this project, 69 new jobs will be created over the next three years.
Farm Plast will expand into a 200,000-square-foot facility at 100 Sherman Street in Muncy Township, a former vacant manufacturing facility. This new facility in Pennsylvania will allow the company to increase production while also adding several new product lines.
“Under my leadership, Pennsylvania is now one of the top states for business and the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy. That’s why companies are choosing to invest and grow in our Commonwealth,” said Governor Shapiro. “With historic investments in site development, a commitment to cutting red tape, and an aggressive approach to recruiting companies to locate here, our strategy is delivering real results. We’ll keep making smart, strategic investments to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and expand opportunity for every Pennsylvanian.”
Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development’s Senior Managing Director for BusinessPA Brent Vernon joined Farm Plast and local leaders today in Muncy to celebrate the company’s new Pennsylvania facility, which is currently being renovated.
“Governor Shapiro is committed to making it easier to do business in Pennsylvania for our farm, forest, and food businesses,” said Agriculture Secretary Redding. “Investments like this have real impact they strengthen the supply chain that our farm and food businesses rely on every day, and they bring new opportunity to rural communities. Farm Plast’s expansion in Lycoming County means more good jobs, more reliable access to the products that keep food moving safely, and a stronger agricultural economy that benefits producers and consumers across the Commonwealth.”
The manufacturing and agriculture industries are crucial to Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing more than $116 billion and $132.5 billion each year, respectively. These industries are among the five key sectors prioritized in Governor Shapiro’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, the first of its kind in more than two decades.
“Manufacturing and agriculture have always had a strong history here which is why they’re two of the key industries we’re focusing on in Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy,” said BusinessPA Senior Managing Director Vernon. “The Commonwealth has a strong business climate for companies like Farm Plast that are ready to grow and succeed here. This investment further advances our economic competitiveness and highlights our ability to attract companies from across the nation, create good-paying jobs, and support our local communities.”
Farm Plast received a funding proposal from DCED for $3.5 million through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan program as well as a $500,000 Pennsylvania First grant.
Founded in 2007, Farm Plast has quickly grown as a leader in using injection molding to make milk crates, bread trays, and moving dollies ― selling products to farms and grocers across the Commonwealth. Most of the company's products provide for the protection and transportation of milk, breads, glass bottles, and eggs. According to Farm Plast, 75 percent of its products are made with reused materials, with the company recycling roughly 12 million pounds of plastic each year.
“Farm Plast is moving full steam ahead with its new manufacturing facility in Muncy, producing high-quality, American-made products and creating jobs in the great state of Pennsylvania,” said Eric Lomak, General Manager, Farm Plast. “We plan to breathe new life into the empty warehouse that has long been forgotten and we are incredibly grateful for all the support we received from DCED and Governor Shapiro.”
Source : pa.gov