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Joy Cone Announces $12 Million Plant Expansion
SHARON, Pa -- Joy Cone Co. today announced a $12 million expansion and modernization at its production facility in Hermitage, Pa., that will result in the creation of 100 jobs within three years and the retention of 325 existing jobs. The expansion was announced by Pa. Gov. Edward G. Rendell during his visit this morning to Sharon."This project is great news for Mercer County," Rendell said. "The fact that a global leader like Joy Cone chose to expand here sends a clear message that manufacturers are attracted to Pennsylvania as a result of the programs we have in place to benefit their operations."As part of its expansion plans, Joy Cone will renovate its current facility, construct an addition and convert portions of its warehouse into extra production space, officials said. The company will also purchase, manufacture and install new electronic automation equipment in its warehouse.The Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who report directly to Rendell and Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of Community and Economic Development, worked with Joy Cone on its expansion project. The commonwealth offered the company a $2.29 million funding package that includes $1.25 million through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority; $500,000 through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund; a $200,000 Opportunity Grant; $45,000 in job training assistance; and $300,000 in job creation tax credits. Joy Cone will also receive a $2.5 million loan through the Citizens Bank Job Bank program and may take advantage of a local property tax abatement, officials said.The company's expansion project is estimated to cost at least $12 million and take three years to complete. "This is an intimidating figure, but we have done a lot of homework and we are convinced that this project is the prudent thing for us to do," said Joe George, president and CEO of Joy Cone Co. "On behalf of all of the employee owners of Joy Cone Co., I want to thank Gov. Rendell and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the city of Hermitage and Citizens Bank for their help. We have been a part of the Shenango Valley for several years, and with this investment, we expect to be a part of the Shenango Valley for many more years to come."Joy Cone also operates a production facility in Flagstaff, Ariz., where 100 are employed. With its fleet of 12 tractor-trailers in Hermitage and two in Flagstaff as well as common carriers, Joy Cone Co. delivers its cones overnight, George says, to its customers in the food service industry. Among them are Dairy Queen, Friendly's and Ben and Jerry. Retailers who get their cones from Joy include Wal-Mart, Giant Eagle and other supermarket chains. Besides selling Joy cones in its stores, Giant Eagle contracts with Joy to make ice cream cones in boxes that bear its house label, he adds.Created in 1918, the Joy Cone Co. is an independent, family-led business that is 100% employee-owned. The company bakes more than 1.5 billion ice cream cones per year. MORE: Joy Cone Success Story, September 2004, The Business Journal.Visit Joy Cone at www.joycone.com"