Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger on Oct. 2 helped cut the ribbon on Hydro’s Extrusion plant in Cressona, Pa., in celebration of the state’s ongoing investments in the advanced manufacturing industry.
“Congratulations to Hydro on their expansion in Pennsylvania. The company’s investment shows its confidence in our strong workforce and business climate and is a great example of why we’re focused on manufacturing as a key sector in the Commonwealth’s Economic Development Strategy,” Siger said Tuesday. “Having a major manufacturer like Hydro continue to grow its roots in our commonwealth sends a strong message to other businesses looking to expand or move to Pennsylvania that we are open for business.”
Manufacturing in Pennsylvania accounts for more than $116 billion in gross state product, playing a critical role in the state’s economy, according to DCED.
Hydro Cressona is the largest aluminum extrusion site in North America, producing annually more than 250 million pounds of extrusions for the automotive, commercial transportation, distribution, and infrastructure markets.
“At Hydro, we are grateful for the support of the State of Pennsylvania and the local community. Our Cressona facility has been a cornerstone of Schuylkill County for nearly four generations, a legacy made possible by these strong relationships,” said Mike Hammer, vice president and general manager at Hydro Extrusion Cressona. “We are proud to supply the building blocks of American manufacturing across almost every industry and we look forward to doing so for many years to come.”
The Cressona plant has been a major part of the manufacturing industry in Schuylkill County for more than 70 years. Norwegian company Norsk Hydro acquired the plant in 2017 and operates it as part of a global Hydro network of manufacturing plants. Norsk Hydro has three additional Pennsylvania facilities located in Mountain Top, Luzerne County; Moon Township, Allegheny County; and Bensalem Township, Bucks County.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration have been focused on making the commonwealth a leader in economic development, and their 2024-2025 budget will deliver on the governor’s key priorities in the Economic Development Strategy to make Pennsylvania more competitive economically.
For instance, it includes $500 million for site development; $20 million for the Main Street Matters program to support small businesses and commercial corridors; $20 million in state funding for small minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania; and $15 million for tourism marketing.