Scott Twp., Lackawanna County, PA -
A proposed expansion of Process Technologies & Packaging located in Scott Technology Park will create about 300 new jobs and add a 407,000-square-foot, multimillion dollar facility.
Representatives from Process Technologies & Packaging and Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Co., the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce's development arm, briefed township supervisors about the project at their meeting Tuesday night. They asked township officials to extend Keystone Opportunity Zone status on property that will host the expansion through 2028 to facilitate the project.
“We need your help to make this economically feasible,” Process controller Shawnna Giumento said at the meeting.
Township officials unanimously approved the KOZ extension. KOZ status exempts a property owner from a litany of taxes, including property tax, the business privilege tax and taxes on net profits from business activity conducted within the zone, among others in the state of Pennsylvania.
The company, which produces cosmetics, is looking to consolidate operations in the same location at the tech park, plus add more manufacturing space to keep up with demand for their products, Giumento said. They already have an existing manufacturing facility at the tech park, on Life Sciences Drive.
The expansion project would see the company build a 407,000-square-foot addition to the existing building during two phases of construction, Giumento said. The first phase alone, a 201,000-square-foot area that would offer warehousing and production space for products like lotions and liquid foundations, would cost between $20-25 million, Giumento said.
The company has three other locations locally: warehouses in Waymart and Olyphant and a research and development facility in South Abington Twp. Once the project is complete, they'll cease operations at those facilities and move them to the tech park. About 60 people would be transferred from those sites to the expanded location, Giumento said.
In addition, the expansion would add 300 new jobs to the area, ranging from manufacturing and assembly employees to chemists, researchers and developers, Giumento said. About 600 people would work in the facility once the project is completed.
Company officials hope to break ground on the first phase of the project by the end of the year. Township Manager Carl Ferraro said at the meeting the company is already working to obtain permits to begin work.
They hope to break ground on the second phase by 2022, Giumento said.
All three township supervisors voiced support for the expansion and described it as a great opportunity.
Supervisor Steven Russell said he knows people who already work for Process Technologies & Packaging and he commended the company for treating their employees well. Their products has a good reputation, he added.
Supervisor Chairman Michael Giannetta supported extending the KOZ because of the amount of money to be invested in construction. Once that is completed and the new jobs in place, the tax benefits for the township, Lakeland School District and the county would be substantial, he added.
“I think this is a great move forward for the township,” Giannetta said.
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/planned-expansion-at-scott-twp-manufacturing-facility-will-add-300-jobs-1.2376706
Contact the writer: CLAYTON OVER
cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363;
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