Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. (MEPPI) broke ground March 19 on its $86-million expansion and new facility in Beaver County, Pa., that will create at least 200 new jobs and retain 806 employees while expanding the commonwealth’s energy manufacturing sector.
“MEPPI clearly recognizes that we’re open for business ― choosing the commonwealth over Ohio for this new, state-of-the-art facility so that we can continue to lead on energy and manufacturing,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said during Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony.
The state invested more than $6.7 million to support MEPPI’s growth in southwestern Pennsylvania. The new advanced switchgear facility and expanded power electronics facilities and testing lab will allow MEPPI to transition from the production of gas-insulated circuit breakers to vacuum breakers.
The switchgear and power electronics solutions that MEPPI provides are essential for meeting the growing demand for electricity, according to Shapiro’s office.
“We are working to make Pennsylvania the best state in the nation for businesses to grow and thrive,” said the governor. “We’re getting stuff done here in the commonwealth and will continue making bold, strategic investments to boost our economy and create good jobs for Pennsylvanians.”
MEPPI received a funding proposal from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $4 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant and a $2.75 million Pennsylvania First grant.
“MEPPI’s expansion is a tremendous win for Beaver County and all of Pennsylvania, and I’m thrilled to help break ground for this facility,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “In the commonwealth’s economic development strategy, energy and manufacturing are two of the important industries we’re focusing on. Projects like MEPPI’s are further boosting these industries and helping grow our economy.”
Headquartered in Warrendale, Pa., MEPPI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corp. of Japan and serves the North American power systems, data center, rail transportation, and large visual display markets with electrical and electronic products, systems, solutions, and services.
“We’re not just breaking ground on a new facility; we are advancing Mitsubishi Electric’s investment in North America by engineering, and delivering, the infrastructure of the future,” said MEPPI President and CEO Tricia Breeger. “With this investment, MEPPI will be positioned to better serve our customers, provide new opportunities for employment, and contribute to our local community.”
Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, said that the groundbreaking signifies the importance of supporting the growth of existing companies in the region.
“We appreciate that companies have a choice in their location decisions, and we’re honored the Pittsburgh region has earned MEPPI’s trust and confidence,” she said.
The project was coordinated by Gov. Shapiro’s BusinessPA team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who provide the guidance, connections, and financial packages that set companies up for long-term growth and success in Pennsylvania.