Continental Cup Company to establish first manufacturing facility in Bethlehem

Continental Cup Company (CCC), a manufacturer of high-end graphic paper cups, will establish its first manufacturing operation in the City of Bethlehem in Northampton County, Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced.

CCC will lease a 40,000-square foot building in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park. The company has pledged to invest at least $9.5 million in the project, which is expected to create 71 new, full-time jobs over the next three years.

“We are extremely excited for our very first operation in Northampton County and proud of our contribution to the local economy providing family-sustaining jobs that will have a positive impact on Bethlehem and surrounding communities,” Rick Timone, president of CCC, said.

The Department of Community and Economic Development provided CCC with a funding proposal for a $155,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $142,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of new jobs and up to $31,950 in grants for workforce training and development. The company was also encouraged to apply for a low-interest $400,000 loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to assist with equipment costs.

The Governor’s Action Team coordinated the project, with additional coordination through the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).

“Continental Cup’s move into the Lehigh Valley continues the extraordinary growth of manufacturing that is happening here,” Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, said. “We’re grateful for the state’s support and Continental’s interest in making Northampton County its home. Continental joins the nearly 700 manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley that account for $7.4 billion of the region’s $40 billion GDP, making manufacturing our second largest sector.”