Commonwealth of PA News Release - Governor Corbett Announces More than 300 New Jobs with PPG Industries, Inc., Growth in Western Pa.

We continue to see momentum building in the Pennsylvania economy and businesses are moving here to grow,” Corbett said. “Today is a win for southwestern Pennsylvania, proving that the best way to spur new job growth is to work with local leaders and businesses.We appreciate our partnership with Allegheny and Butler counties, and the Allegheny Conference, to help bring more than 300 new jobs to the region.”

This project is expected to generate an investment in excess of $14 million for infrastructure, equipment and employee training. The company is projected to create more than 300 jobs between both sites and retain another 2,500 positions throughout the state.

PPG, a coatings and specialty products company, will establish its North American architectural coatings business at an approximately 120,000-square-foot facility in Cranberry Township, Butler County, consolidating operations from Louisville, Ky., Dover, Del., and Strongsville, Ohio.

"This announcement really shows how successful we can be in this region when we work together on economic development opportunities. Without the efforts of Governor Corbett working alongside Butler County and Allegheny County and their economic development teams, the outcome could have been very different," said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. "We are thrilled by PPG's decision that will bring more employment opportunities to our region and are grateful for their continued commitment growing this region."

The company will also expand and co-locate its North American architectural coatings research and development activities, laboratory equipment and personnel that are presently located at the company’s Springdale, Allegheny County, and Strongsville, Ohio, locations to Harmar Township, Allegheny County. The Technology Center in Harmar Township currently includes PPG’s glass and fiber glass business and research and development activities.

“Our plans to establish a central headquarters and R&D center for the company’s North American architectural coatings business in Pennsylvania are an important step in creating our newly expanded coatings business,” Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO said. “PPG has called Pennsylvania home to its global headquarters for 130 years, and this further strengthens our presence in the state and affected counties. We appreciate the continued support of the governor and county leadership as we move forward with this important decision for our future operations.”

In April 2013, PPG acquired the AkzoNobel North American Decorative Coatings business. The purpose of this project is to consolidate AkzoNobel North American headquarters and U.S. lab facilities with PPG’s architectural coatings business in order to improve collaboration between employees and save travel time and expenses. PPG’s operations in Canada and Puerto Rico are not affected by this consolidation.

The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a $1,250,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $618,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a $42,750 Guaranteed Free Training grant that will be used to train its new workforce. A $2 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to be repaid within 15 years was also included.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County and Butler County.

“We are excited with PPG’s decision to retain jobs in the region and bring many additional employees to their new division home in Cranberry Township,” said Ken Raybuck, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County. “PPG is another global company making a substantial investment in Butler County that will serve our region. Cranberry Township officials, the Governor’s Action Team and the Corbett administration and many others were key in helping PPG make its final decision.”

“This acquisition underpins Pittsburgh as a place where Fortune 500 companies, such as PPG, are growing. PPG’s existing R&D lab in Harmar Township, Allegheny County, and strategically located Class A real estate in Butler County’s Cranberry Woods were advantages that helped to make the region a clear choice, as was an existing workforce with expertise in corporate support and coatings innovation and development,” said Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Dennis Yablonsky. “We’re pleased that PPG remains committed to southwestern Pennsylvania.”

Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. PPG is the world’s leading coatings and specialty material company and is Pittsburgh’s second largest manufacturing company.

For more information on PPG Industries, Inc., visit www.ppg.com.

For more information on the Governor’s Action Team and other economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contacts: Kelli Roberts, Governor’s Office; 717-783-1116 Lyndsay Frank, DCED; 717-783-1132 - See more at: http://www.ppg.com/en/newsroom/news/ Pages/20130923A.aspx#sthash.LrmjC8ys.dpuf