Success Stories
SHOULDN’T YOUR COMPANY BE IN MIFFLIN COUNTY? New start-ups such as Pennsylvania Insulated Glass think so. Ram-Wood Custom Kitchens has enlarged; United Chemical Technologies has added employees and space and recently had their products featured on 60 Minutes, the CBS News Magazine. Trinity Packaging has expanded, as has Buckell Plastics. Join the growing list of companies that have found a home in Mifflin County. Call us today and experience the area
First Quality Selects Mifflin County
Senator Jake Corman awarded a $1.5 million grant to attract First Quality Enterprises to the area adding: “Today is a pretty big day. This project means jobs for Mifflin County, and this is a substantial commitment to the residents of the area.” He continues; “For more than four years we have been working to make this plan a reality, and today we are taking a giant step forward as we publicly welcome First Quality Enterprises to Mifflin County.”
First Quality is a diversified family of Companies made up of First Quality Products, First Quality Nonwovens and First Quality Hygienics. The Company produces everything from adult washcloths, incontinence products, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products to adult incontinence products and consumer paper-products. With operating facilities located in Lock Haven and Hazleton, PA, First Quality has decided to come to Mifflin County for its next expansion.
MCIDC worked with Senator Corman and Mr. Kambiz Damaghi of First Quality Enterprises. MCIDC located and purchased the property that is the future site of FQE. The site is the former Harry and Dorothy Ellinger farm consisting of 316 acres in Granville Township. Millions of dollars in private capital investment will go into the site by First Quality.
Mr. Don Chapman, Chairman of the Board for MCIDC, sums it up: “We are obviously very pleased to welcome this well respected manufacturer to our community. A project like this helps to diversify our industrial base with new jobs and investment.
Ames/True Temper
Ames/True Temper, a top manufacturer of lawn and garden tools and accessories is in full operation at its Mifflin County Industrial Park Facility. Operating out of 125,000 square feet of space, True Temper is manufacturing shovels by the thousands daily. Tracing its lineage back to 1774 when it began manufacturing shovels, its brands now include Ames True Temper, Stanley, Jackson, Kodiak, and Pony.
Customers are big names such as Lowe’s, Home Depot and Wal-Mart as well as other facilities through the United States and Canada. Robert Postal, President of MCIDC states, “We are proud to have the caliber of this manufacturer expand into Mifflin County.”
The Governor’s Action Team, who reports directly to Governor Rendell, worked with MCIDC and the Company in this expansion. “This project demonstrates that partnerships are a positive and productive way to create jobs in the Commonwealth,” Governor Rendell said. True Temper employs over 150 people in the Park today.
Asher’s Chocolates Expands
Twice in as many years, Asher’s Chocolates in Lewistown, has expanded. A tenant in the MCIDC Business Center in Lewistown, Asher’s began their first expansion when MCIDC purchased the building in 2004. Now they encompass 110,000 square feet of building space.
A purveyor of fine chocolates, Asher’s purchased the former Goss Candies, a company well known in Lewistown and the surrounding areas for years. This year, Mr. Jack Asher, one of the owners of Asher’s Chocolates was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame. An exhibit identifying all Candy Hall of Fame honorees is on display at Chocolate World in Hershey.
The Souderton-based company said they are very happy to have the additional space and have already added employees as their company grows. “Mifflin County has a very good, dependable workforce and we are glad to be here.” The company currently employs about 100 people and has a retail showroom. They count Boscovs, Disney, Country Cupboard and others among their many satisfied customers. One taste is all you need!
Stop in at Asher’s the next time you are in Lewistown and sample the product!
Lowes Builds In Mifflin County
LOWES Home Improvement has opened a store in Lewistown. Located on Route 22, just before Wal-Mart, the new store boasts an estimated 250,000 square feet. “Mifflin County is an active market and Lowe’s wanted to be here.” Currently employing 150 people, Lowe’s opened this year. The home Improvement retailer is another example of the desirability of Mifflin County and its experienced and dedicated workforce.
Clayton Manufactured Homes (CMH)
Marlette Homes division, is currently in the design stage to significantly increase their manufacturing capabilities. Planning to demolish a portion of their old facility and building a new addition, the company will have one of the most advanced manufactured home building plants in the world – right here in Mifflin County!
Marlette currently employs 200+ people and has been very pleased with the quality of worker they have found in Mifflin County. This upgrade and renovation helps assure both Marlette and Mifflin County that joint cooperation will continue now and into the future.
Expansions continue within the Plaza
Projects within the MCIDC Plaza are continuing to grow and expand. Ram-Wood Custom Kitchens and JRD Packaging have expanded and Junction Fire Company and the Mifflin County Business Center, home of Asher’s Chocolates, are growing as well.
Juniata Valley Railroad has added a track extension into the Krentzman Scrap facility and the turnaround just beyond the facility. This is a promising addition for new industry in the area.
Game call manufacturer purchases new facility
Foxpro, Inc. has purchased the former R.A. Marker building along Route 522 North. Foxpro is a premier game call manufacturer, supplying the outdoor sports world with high-quality electronic game calls.
The R.A. Marker building is a 40,000 square foot facility that will give Foxpro the room they need for expansion. Foxpro supplies Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops as well as other customers.
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