California-based energy storage innovator Verne Inc. plans to open its first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania and the commonwealth is investing more than $1.27 million to support the nearly $4.5-million project.
“My administration is proud to win deals like this that strengthen our local communities, grow our manufacturing sector, and position Pennsylvania as a national leader in innovation and job creation,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro during a July 10 event announcing the pact. “We’re competing aggressively for private sector investment — and Pennsylvania is open for business.”
The Verne project will create at least 61 new, full-time jobs at the Marcellus Energy Park in Lycoming County, Pa., according to Verne Co-Founder David Jaramillo, who joined Shapiro and local leaders during the press event.
“After conducting a nationwide search, we determined that north central Pennsylvania was the perfect place to establish our manufacturing footprint,” added Verne CEO Ted McKlveen, also a co-founder. “The proximity to key partners in the region was a crucial factor as it will allow Verne to leverage their expertise to optimize our supply chain and manufacturing processes.
“This facility will accelerate our impact in delivering energy to power critical industries that are currently not being served by our nation’s electricity grid,” he said.
Verne developed a process to increase the density of hydrogen by storing the gas in a cold-and-compressed state, making it more efficient to transport in larger volumes. Scaling up to commercial operations, the company will manufacture hydrogen storage vessels at its new facility in Muncy, Pa., and partner with local manufacturers.
To support the project, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provided Verne with a funding offer that includes a $1 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan, a $153,000 Pennsylvania First grant, and a $122,000 WEDnetPA grant to help train new employees. The company also may apply for research and development tax credits to provide additional benefits, according to DCED Secretary Rick Siger.
“This investment in Verne is another example of how the Shapiro administration is diversifying our energy sector while fostering innovation and supporting the commonwealth’s vital manufacturing industry,” Siger said.
Founded in San Francisco in 2020, Verne provides modern energy distribution solutions for sectors including construction, data centers, drilling, and ports, among others, and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Army, and other major companies across the country.
“Lycoming County and Pennsylvania are the perfect fit for this hydrogen sector development,” said Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. “We not only have the natural resources but also the talent required from in-state colleges and universities to support and grow with them.”