Governor Tom Corbett announced that Edge Rubber, LLC will expand operations to support new growth in the manufacturing industry, adding 50 new jobs to Franklin County.
“My administration is committed to creating an economic environment that encourages our businesses to grow and enables Pennsylvania to compete for job creating projects,” Corbett said. “Our support of Edge Rubber’s expansion in Franklin County will sustain continued growth, new jobs and success for years to come.”
Edge Rubber has leased a 35,000 square foot facility in the Cumberland Valley Business Park for the collection and processing of scrap truck tires into raw materials to send to their Chambersburg plant for processing. The expansion will support the company’s existing facility in the Borough of Chambersburg, retain 60 jobs and create more than 50 jobs within three years.
“Working together with the Franklin County Area Development Corporation and Governor Corbett’s Action Team has made our expansion a reality,” Sam Kauffman, vice president and chief operating officer at Edge Rubber said. “This development will allow us to continue to grow, provide secure jobs and enjoy sustained success in Chambersburg, Franklin County and Pennsylvania for many years to come.”
The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a $50,000 Guaranteed Free Training grant for basic skills level training for both existing and incumbent employees. A $1.5 million, 10-year, low-interest loan at 1.5 percent from the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) was also included. The project is located in an existing Keystone Opportunity Zone.
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, in collaboration with the Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC).
According to Mike Ross, president, FCADC, “the expansion of Edge Rubber stands to have a significant economic impact in terms of both capital investment and more importantly job creation. The creation of 50 family sustaining jobs will have a multiplier effect that will benefit the greater community.”
Edge Rubber manufactures fine rubber powders for specific uses in sophisticated applications for the automotive, tire manufacturing and other industries. Edge has been operating for more than 25 years in Chambersburg and claims to be the longest standing, most successful facility producing fine rubber power in the United States.
For more information on Edge Rubber visit http://www.edgerubber.com.