Gov. Tom Wolf announced last week that Seokoh, Inc., a manufacturer of cosmetics and personal care products, will expand its operations in Scott Township, Lackawanna County, supporting the creation of 280 new jobs.
“Pennsylvania is fourth in the nation in the manufacturing of toiletry products, and Seokoh’s expansion in Lackawanna County is a testament to our competitive advantage,” Wolf said. “Our diverse workforce and central location make Pennsylvania a prime place to do business, and we are pleased to see Seokoh further grow its operations right here in the commonwealth.”
Seokoh, which is owned by Kolmar Korea, currently owns a 70,000-square-foot facility and leases three other facilities.
The company will purchase two sites next to its current manufacturing facility in the Scott Technology Park and construct a new 200,000-square-foot facility. The company will also renovate its current manufacturing facility and purchase new equipment. The company has committed to investing $27.9 million into the project and creating at least 280 new, full-time jobs and retaining 290 existing jobs over the next three years.
“This expansion project is planned to be the location of the company’s North American headquarters, adding ‘beyond continents’ to ‘beyond science, beyond inside, beyond Kolmar… for an ever-changing and evolving Kolmar Korea’,” Jason Lee, director of the North American Business Division of Kolmar Korea, said. “Seokoh and Kolmar Korea would like to thank Scott Township, Lakeland School District, and Lackawanna County as well as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for their continued support. We would also like to express our appreciation for the assistance of the Chamber of Scranton and the Governor’s Action Team for their efforts and guidance.”
The Department of Community and Economic Development provided Seokoh with a funding proposal for a $126,000 workforce development grant and $480,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs. The company was also encouraged to apply for a $7.25 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). The Governor’s Action Team coordinated the project.