Governor Rendell: Leading Dietary Supplement Manufacturer Will Create Dozens of Jobs With Move to Carlisle

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A dietary supplement manufacturer will relocate some of its operations to Carlisle, Cumberland County, and create dozens of new jobs, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

California-based Alacer Corp. is expanding its manufacturing and distribution operations into Pennsylvania with the lease of a 130,000-square-foot facility in Carlisle. The company expects that the facility, which will include a pharmaceutical-grade clean room, will be operational by early next year.  

The $10 million project will create at least 66 new, full-time jobs within three years.

"This is very good news for the hardworking men and women of Cumberland County, and it shows how important it is to continue economic development initiatives that bring companies to Pennsylvania," Governor Rendell said. "As we continue to recover from the recession, it's more important than ever to invest in quality projects that create jobs and leverage private investment."

"With the economy showing signs of a turnaround and businesses beginning to invest again in their growth, we want to be sure we're positioned to take full advantage of those opportunities. That's why we must increase funding for the programs that employers have told us they need in order to expand," he said.

The Governor said his budget proposes continued investments in job creation and economic development programs that have helped to keep Pennsylvania's unemployment rate better than the national average for 84 of the past 87 months.  His proposed spending plan increases funding for the opportunity grant and customized job training assistance programs, both of which were part of the Alacer funding offer, as well as infrastructure development and infrastructure facilities and improvement grants.

Based in California, Alacer Corp develops, manufactures, and markets branded dietary supplements in the United States and internationally. The company's principal product is the Emergen-C brand of effervescent dietary supplement drink mixes. With more than 400 million packets sold annually, Emergen-C is the leading brand of vitamin C in the United States.

"Consumer demand is driving growth of the Emergen-C brand and that growth requires us to expand production capacity and add skilled team members," said Ron Fugate, Alacer president and CEO. "Pennsylvania and Cumberland County offer the ideal platform for our immediate and long-term growth, with availability of the infrastructure, work force, transportation hub and business-friendly environment that we require."  

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.

Cumberland County Economic Development (CCED) worked with the company and the Governor's Action Team to secure a $286,700 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project. The offer includes a $125,000 opportunity grant, $29,700 in job training assistance and $132,000 in job creation tax credits.  

To finance Alacer's expansion into Cumberland County, CCED's Industrial Development Authority will also be issuing a tax exempt $10 million loan. The loan will allow Alacer Corp. to complete the fit-out of its new location and buy equipment.  

"CCED is very excited about partnering with Alacer Corp in this expansion project.  Job creation has been our top priority for 2010 and our hard work, along with the work of the Rendell administration, is paying off as we continue to add jobs and attract investment to Cumberland County," said CCED Executive Director Omar Shute.  "Three months ago we scored a huge win with Office Depot, and now we are scoring another huge win with Alacer Corp."

Since Governor Rendell took office in 2003, GAT has successfully completed 1,228 projects, resulting in commitments to create 131,573 new jobs and retain 308,514 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $2.3 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $16.4 billion in additional investment.

For more information on Alacer Corp. and its Emergen-C brand, visit www.emergenc.com.

For more information on CCED, visit www.cumberlandbusiness.com or call 1-717-240-7180.

For more information on the Governor's Action Team and other Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor