#MakeItInPA: Governor Corbett Announces Food Manufacturer Edward Marc Brands to Expand and Create 51 New Jobs Allegheny County
Press Release
Continuing to advance his JOBS1st PA initiative, Governor Tom Corbett announced today that Edward Marc Brands, Inc., a manufacturer of gourmet chocolates, will expand operations in Allegheny County and create 51 jobs in the City of Pittsburgh.
"Pennsylvania is the keystone of American manufacturing, and by partnering with companies like Edward Marc Brands, we are promoting the growth of this job-sustaining industry," Gov. Corbett said. "I am pleased that we are helping fourth generation chocolate manufacturers grow where the family tradition started: right here in Pennsylvania."
Edward Marc Brands has entered into a lease of a 50,000-square-foot space in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood. The company plans to invest more than $2.5 million at the new site, and has also committed to creating at least 51 new jobs and retaining 36 positions over the next three years. The expansion will support the newly launched line of confections called, Snappers, a gourmet sweet snack made with pretzels, caramel and chocolate.
Edward Marc received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development, including a $100,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant that facilitates investment and job creation, $51,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and $22,950 grant for WEDnetPA that will be used to train the expanding workforce.
The company was approved to receive a $500,000 loan from the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund.
"Our family business is built upon innovation and the dedication of hardworking Americans. We are honored to be recognized as a leader in job creation and food manufacturing in the state of Pennsylvania," said Chris Edwards, CEO.
The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the Governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.
In 2011, Gov. Corbett commissioned the Governor's Manufacturing Advisory Council (GMAC), a public/private advisory council, to identify and prioritize top issues to influence, sustain and advance the manufacturing sector in the commonwealth.
The 24-member Council sent its report to Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly in August 2012 and outlined 15 key recommendations to help Pennsylvania remain competitive in today's global economy. Administration efforts to address all 15 recommendations include strategic investments in workforce development and education, creating a state energy policy, investing in infrastructure improvements via Act 89, opening new domestic and international markets, implementing tax and regulatory reform, improving access to capital and making government work better by encouraging innovation. Projects supported by the Corbett administration are expected to leverage more than $4.9 billion in private investment and create more than 22,000 manufacturing and related jobs and retain more than 58,000 manufacturing and related jobs.
Edward Marc Brands, Inc., is a premium, boutique-style chocolatier founded by the Edwards family in 1914 and is now in their fourth generation of confectionary production. The Snappers line has received nation-wide media attention on programs like "The Today Show", "Good Morning America" and Fox Business TV.
For more information on Edward Marc Brands, Inc., visit www.edwardmarc.com.
In 2012, Gov. Corbett launched JOBS1st PA as a comprehensive roadmap to economic recovery that harnessed the state's resources and talents to prioritize private-sector job creation and retention. Today, Pennsylvania's unemployment rate stands below that of the national rate and jobs have been growing on a consistent basis for nearly four years.
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