Text of Aug. 8 press release.
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that Continental Cup Company (CCC), a manufacturer of high-end graphic paper cups, will establish its first manufacturing operation in the City of Bethlehem, Northampton County. The project will support the creation of 71 jobs in the area.
“I’m proud to welcome Continental Cup Company to Pennsylvania,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Manufacturing is thriving in the Lehigh Valley and the addition of this new facility helps to keep this momentum going.”
CCC will lease a 40,000-square-foot building in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park. The company has pledged to invest at least $9.5 million into the project, which is expected to create 71 new, full-time jobs over the next three years.
“We are extremely excited for our very first operation in Northampton County and proud of our contribution to the local economy providing family-sustaining jobs that will have a positive impact on Bethlehem and surrounding communities,” said Rick Timone, president of CCC. “The support from the Governor’s Action Team was a key component to making this project a reality. We appreciate Governor Wolf’s support and commitment.”
CCC received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $155,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $142,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and up to $31,950 in grants for workforce training and development. The company was also encouraged to apply for a low-interest $400,000 loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to assist with equipment costs. 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, with additional coordination through the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).
“Continental Cup’s move into the Lehigh Valley continues the extraordinary growth of manufacturing that is happening here,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. “We’re grateful for the state’s support and Continental’s interest in making Northampton County its home. Continental joins the nearly 700 manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley that account for $7.4 billion of the region’s $40 billion GDP, making manufacturing our second largest sector.”
CCC is a startup paper cup manufacturing company that will service the theater industry, quick service restaurants, convenience stores and food service distribution companies.
For more information about the Governor’s Action Team or DCED, visit dced.pa.gov.
Media contacts: J.J. Abbott, Governor’s Office, 717.783.1116; Michael Gerber, DCED, 717.783.1132