Wolf announces Tech Met’s Donora expansion

Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday Tech Met Inc., a custom and standard chemical milling company, will expand operations in the Donora Industrial Park, a move that will result in 41 new, full-time jobs.

“We commend this employee-owned business for its renewed commitment to manufacturing in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in a news release Friday. “Tech Met’s success as a niche manufacturer will lead to new jobs and the reuse of an old facility and we look forward to its continued growth.”

Tech Met will purchase the former PolyOne Corp. site on East 8th Street in anticipation of new process work for Bell Helicopter and increased demand for existing services to Barnes Aerospace.

The company will continue operations at its facility in Glassport, which is currently at capacity. The company committed to making an investment of at least $5 million on the project and committed to creating 41 new, full-time jobs and retaining 35 existing positions over the next three years.

Earlier this week, the Washington County commissioners approved Tech Met’s application for a $3.2 million tax-free bank loan through the Washington County Industrial Development Authority.

Tech Met also received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $200,000 Pennsylvania First program grant and $34,850 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training. The company was encouraged to apply for a $1.4 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

“This acquisition will enable Tech Met Inc. to further expand its existing operations serving the aerospace, defense, and medical industries,” said Jim Ringer, chief financial officer and general manager of Tech-Met.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team in collaboration with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are excited to welcome Tech Met and its considerable investment to Washington County,” said Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber. “This expansion is the exact kind of advanced manufacturing company we need in the commonwealth to insure our long term economic success and add to the continued revitalization of Mon Valley communities such as Donora.”