HARRISBURG — Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that Johnson & Johnson Sales and Logistics Company LLC is strengthening its presence in Pennsylvania by entering into a long-term lease agreement that will bring 268 new jobs to Monroe County.
The new distribution facility will be used by the company, however, the building will be staffed and operated by one or more third party logistics providers who will, in turn, create 268 new jobs within four years and retain 434 existing jobs.
Governor Rendell said Pennsylvania is aggressively working to create new opportunities for residents by attracting private sector investments that help to make the commonwealth more attractive as a place to do business for fast-growing industries, like health care products.
“We’ve put our resources to work over the last four years to attract new investments that are growing our companies and economy while creating opportunities for people”, said Governor Rendell. “More and more companies are choosing to expand their operations in Pennsylvania because they recognize the quality of our workforce and our efforts to build a more competitive business climate. The company’s decision represents a major step forward for the state in an industry that is growing at a tremendous pace. Seeing a business of this caliber invest and expand here is great news for the Pocono region and the entire state, and will lead to an increase in the availability of quality jobs”
The new warehouse distribution center is being built by Clayco Realty Group on 100 acres in the Arcadia North Business Park. The project represents the first development project in the park, which received $9.7 million in October 2005 through the state’s Business in Our Sites program.
The Governor said that making shovel-ready sites available is an important component when it comes to helping companies find a place in Pennsylvania to locate or expand.
Today’s announcement drives home the importance of having sites available to meet the needs of businesses that want to locate in Pennsylvania’s communities Governor Rendell said. “A municipality has a better chance of securing new investment when they are able to provide sites for businesses that are shovel-ready.
“By revitalizing the state’s commercial corridors and old industrial sites, we are enhancing our competitiveness, encouraging existing companies to expand and creating a great environment for businesses to set up shop.”
The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, or PMEDC, worked with the Governo’s Action Team to secure a $1.6 million funding package offer for the project from the Department of Community and Economic Development that consists of an $800,000 opportunity grant and $804,000 in job creation tax credits.
“We need to thank Governor Rendell and his administration for providing innovative funding tools through the Governo’s economic stimulus package,” said Chuck Leonard, PMED’s executive director. “Without the Business in Our Sites program, we would not have been able to deliver the infrastructure needed to make this project possible.”
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, or GAT, which is comprised of economic development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell and serve as a single point-of-contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The team works with domestic and international businesses and professional site consultants on projects possessing significant investment and job creation opportunities.
In Monroe County, three GAT projects have been successfully completed since January 2003. These projects total commitments for 421 new jobs created and 840 jobs to be retained. The commonwealth has offered more than $5 million in state assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $76 million in additional investment.
Statewide since January 2003, the Governor’s Action Team has successfully completed 798 projects resulting in commitments for the creation of 85,219 new jobs and the retention of more than 205,739 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $1.4 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $9.3 billion in additional investment.
Johnson & Johnson Sales and Logistics Company, LLC provides sales, marketing and logistical services to U.S. retail customers on behalf of Johnson & Johnson’s U.S. consumer companies, and leadership for an emerging global customer base in the areas of transportation, enterprise-wide systems, business processes and global customer development.
For information on the Governor’s Action Team, the Business in Our Sites program and other DCED funding, visit the New PA Website or call 1-866-GONEWPA (1-866-466-3972).