HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that GrafTech USA LLC, a manufacturer of graphite electrodes, will expand its facility in St. Marys, Elk County, which will support the combined retention and creation of 82 full-time jobs at the facility.
“Nearly half of Elk County’s workforce is employed in the manufacturing industry, and this expansion will provide additional manufacturing jobs in and around St. Marys,” said Wolf.
“This project exemplifies how strategic investments can translate into impactful opportunities for the people who live and work in Pennsylvania’s communities.”
GrafTech currently operates three of the highest-capacity graphite electrode facilities in the world. The company has committed to investing nearly $20 million into the project, increasing production at its Elk County location, and creating at least 36 new jobs over the next three years.
“Planned improvements at our St. Marys facility will help optimize our manufacturing footprint by improving performance and production, flexibility and cost effectiveness,” said Jeremy Halford, senior vice president, operations and development, at GrafTech.
“Further, this expansion will benefit the larger St. Marys area, and we look forward to continued partnerships with our community. We thank the Governor’s Action Team for their efforts to assist with this project.”
The company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project, which includes a $226,000 Pennsylvania First Grant, $72,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of new jobs and a $43,200 workforce development grant to help the company train workers.
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.
GrafTech USA LLC, a subsidiary of GrafTech International Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: EAF, “GrafTech”), is a manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrodes essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals for use in the automotive, construction, appliance, machinery, equipment and transportation industries.
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