Gov. Rendell Marks Significant New Economic Progress

GREENSBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell said four recent investments in Westmoreland County show how Pennsylvania is using its resources to create hundreds of new jobs and transform places like Latrobe, West Newton and Belle Vernon.

In Belle Vernon, an alternative energy manufacturer has pledged to create almost 400 new jobs within three years and is positioned to become one of the nation’s largest producers of low-cost solar cells.

“Alternative-energy leadership and a multi-state distribution hub in Belle Vernon; advanced manufacturing in Latrobe and West Newtown – are all the result of the targeted investments we have been making for the past five years to generate job growth in these key sectors,” Governor Rendell said. “It’s no accident that Pennsylvania is positioned to weather any national economic downturn that might be heading our way. The budget I proposed earlier this month will help us protect our progress and do even more for businesses and communities throughout Pennsylvania.”

The Westmoreland Governor’s Action Team projects are expected to create 561 new jobs and retain 325 existing positions in the county. State assistance for the projects total $5.83 million, which will leverage $142.9 million in private investments by the companies.

Bolttech Inc.:

To meet customer demand, Bolttech has installed equipment that will allow it to expand and double the production output of its West Newton operations. Under the terms of its Governor’s Action Team project, Bolttech agreed to create at least 70 new jobs within three years and retain 75 existing positions. However, the company has already exceeded that commitment to the commonwealth by creating 80 new jobs.

The team’s $259,000 offer consisted of a $70,000 opportunity grant, $49,000 in customized job training and $140,000 in job creation tax credits. The total cost of the project will be $1.5 million.