PA reports 6,047 new cases of COVID-19; 4,980 people hospitalized, 1,013 in ICU
Millcreek School District surveying faculty and staff on COVID-19 vaccine
Manufacturer will expand to Saegertown, creating 38 full-time jobs; Governor says
Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that Deist Industries, Inc., a family-owned manufacturer and fabricator of hauling products, will expand by purchasing and renovating a vacant manufacturing facility in Seagertown Borough, Crawford County. The project is expected to create 38 new, full-time jobs in the area.
"Deist Industries' addition of new manufacturing jobs is great news for Crawford County," Governor Wolf said. "More and more, we're seeing manufacturing on the rise across Pennsylvania. This expansion is more evidence of that momentum."
Deist Industries requires more space to meet projected demand and to expand research and development. A currently-vacant 60,000-square-foot facility will be renovated into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The facility will enable the company to further develop and manufacture innovative products for the work truck industry. Deist Industries plans to invest at least $7.6 million into the project. The project will result in the creation of 38 new, full-time jobs and the retention of 91 existing Pennsylvania jobs over the next three years.
"After looking at various sites across the region for our potential business expansion, Deist Industries is excited to have found a great location in Saegertown, Pennsylvania," said Matt Wilson, CEO of Deist Industries. "Critical to our decision was the participation of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to offer our company support in hiring and training our new employees at this site and in providing assistance in financing the renovation and equipment needs of the facility. We are also excited with the support we have received from the Economic Alliance of Crawford County and the borough of Saegertown."
Deist received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project. The proposal includes a $100,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $76,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $58,050 in funding to assist with workforce training.
The company was also encouraged to apply for a $3,250,000 low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team (GAT), an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor. GAT works with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County (EPACC) also coordinated on the project.
"We are extremely excited to have Deist Industries expanding into Crawford County," said James Becker, executive director of EPACC. "They are a great company with great leadership. Crawford County and the Saegertown community will truly benefit from their expansion, investment and the creation of new manufacturing jobs."
Since 1993, Deist has been a family-run truck fabrication operation headquartered in Mercer County. The company manufactures high-quality hauling products in four distinct but related fabrication operations for roll-off containers and dumpsters, roll-off replacement parts, detachable truck body systems, and hydraulic loading systems for full-size pickup trucks. The company's interchangeable truck bodies are used in a number of vocations in both the public, private, and government sectors. Deist has a strong commitment to the region and Pennsylvania, and has made it a company priority to use in-state suppliers whenever possible.
Saint Vincent Hospital was busy today vaccinating local health care providers.
For several weeks now, the hospital has been vaccinating non-affiliated health care workers. This includes workers with labs, home healthcare groups, independent offices and the local blood bank.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 6,047 new positive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:00 a.m. January 15. This brings the statewide total to 754,611.
The department is also reporting 215 new deaths, bringing the statewide total to 18,957 deaths.