Lehigh Times

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) attended a ribbon cutting for the opening of the new Allentown Innovation Hub by Evonik, which is a specialty chemicals manufacturer renowned around the world.

The $2.5 million investment is set to create 50 new jobs and continue the ongoing trend by the Wolf administration to bring manufacturing into Pennsylvania, according to a press release by Wolf’s office. Manufacturing has been on the rise in Pennsylvania, as the economic output in the industry increased from $85 billion to more than $92 billion between 2016 and 2021.

“This exciting, state-of-the-art space will support Evonik’s global growth and bring new, good-paying jobs to the Allentown region,” said Wolf. “When I took office in 2015, I promised to support and create jobs that pay – this $2.5 million investment is one project out of more than 420 to create and retain more than 191,000 jobs, it’s a promise fulfilled.”

The company received a $2.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant through the Governor’s Action team. Not only will this create new jobs, but it will also retain 277 jobs that exist at the project site as well as across the state.

Evonik has a location in Trexlertown, and the company selected it for expansion instead of finding another spot to relocate outside of Pennsylvania. The center will include 60 specialized laboratories to both test and develop new products. The company has invested at least $50 million into the new project.

“Allentown is an increasingly important part of our footprint in North America,” said Bonnie Tully, Evonik’s President North America region. “The opening of our Innovation Hub marks the next phase of our growth trajectory in the region.”

Since GAT was created seven years ago, Wolf has invested about $17.8 billion with 430 companies. This has created and retained more than 191,000 jobs across the state.

In 2017, Wolf launched the Manufacturing Training-to-Career Program which, in conjunction with the Manufacturing PA Initiative, has helped fund 82 projects with more than $17.3 billion. He plans to invest $4.7 million in MTTC grants by the end of his time in office this year.