Two business projects in Westmoreland County recently received new low-interest loan approvals through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) program.
The loan funding is expected to help create and retain approximately 125 jobs statewide and will assist the businesses with expanding into new facilities to help meet customer demand.
“My administration is committed to doing everything we can to help businesses of all sizes, but especially small businesses, grow and expand,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “These projects will help Westmoreland County’s manufacturing and supplier sectors, create new jobs for Pennsylvania workers, and help grow the economy.”
Astley Precision Machine Company, Inc., which produces precision machined components for the medical, scientific and defense industries, was approved for a $1,046,000, 10-year loan. The company will use the loan funding for a project that includes the acquisition and renovation of a 51,000-square-foot building in Irwin and is expected to retain 34 full-time jobs and create 11 new, full-time jobs within three years.
Zilka & Company, LLC, a family-owned bakery supplier, was approved for a $2 million, 10-year loan. It will use the loan amount for the construction of a 62,000-square-foot facility in Hempfield Township. The project is anticipated to create 12 new jobs and retain 68 jobs in the next three years.
In 2018, PIDA has approved approximately $61.3 million in low-interest loans that have resulted in $83 million in private investment and supported 3,247 created and retained full-time jobs.