Pennsylvania DCED Secretary Davin and Agriculture Secretary Redding Participate in 'Jobs that Pay' Tour at Targeted Pet Treats in Warren County

WARREN, Pa., Dec. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin and Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today participated in a 'Jobs that Pay' tour at Targeted Pet Treats, a private label manufacturer of products for the pet care industry.

"Targeted Pet Treats is a part of a trend that we are continuing to see in the commonwealth: manufacturing companies are choosing Pennsylvania as the best place to grow their businesses. In fact, today Pennsylvania's$85 billion manufacturing industry is the eighth-largest of its kind in the United States. More than 560,000 people are employed by nearly 20,000 manufacturing employers throughout the commonwealth," said Sec. Davin. "We applaud Targeted Pet Treats for its decision to call Pennsylvania home and commend the company for its continued growth, commitment to job creation, and significant contributions to the state's economic well-being."

"Food safety – for animals as well as humans – is central to our mission," said Sec. Redding. "Americans spend more than $20 billion on pet food each year, and that's a significant growth opportunity for Pennsylvania's economy."

Partnering with 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 – in collaboration with the Warren Chamber of Business and Industry, Targeted Pet Treats will expand operations at its existing facility in Warren, Warren County. The company committed to investing $3.4 million in the project, which will create 115 new, full-time jobs over the next three years and retain 146 existing employees statewide.

"We are honored to host a visit by both Secretary Redding and Secretary Davin," said Targeted Pet Treats General Manger Greg Austin. "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's support, along with Northwest Bank and the Warren Chamber of Commerce, has been pivotal in Targeted Pet Treats being able to meet the demands of our customers and provide so many jobs in Northwestern PA."

In August, the company received a funding proposal from DCED that included a $150,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $75,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, $230,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $51,750 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training. The company was also encouraged to apply for a $1 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority for machinery and equipment.

Through its agronomic programs, Department of Agriculture's (PDA's) Bureau of Plant Industry maintains regulatory oversight for the safety of animal feed, including the cleanliness of feed mills.  Department inspectors monitor overall sanitary conditions for laboratories and production facilities including injection molded food products like those manufactured by Target Pet Treats.

Targeted Pet Treats, a private label manufacturer of injection molded dental hygiene dog treats and toys for pets, was established in Warren, PA in 2000 with a commitment to deliver competitive, reliable, and safe products through sustainable and environmentally responsible operations. In addition to its dog snack and pet toy lines, Targeted Pet Treats has partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to diversifying its offerings by creating innovative injection molded products for the pet pharmaceutical industry.

The 'Jobs that Pay' tour is an effort by state agencies to promote good-paying, family-sustaining jobs and career-paths available to job-seekers across the commonwealth, and to listen and learn from employers and employees about workforce development needs.

For further information on Targeted Pet Treats, visit www.targetedpettreats.com.

For more information about the Governor's Action Team or DCED, visit dced.pa.gov.

For more information about PDA, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Misner, DCED, 717-783-1132
Bonnie McCann, PDA, 717-783-0133

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-dced-secretary-davin-and-agriculture-secretary-redding-participate-in-jobs-that-pay-tour-at-targeted-pet-treats-in-warren-county-300373051.html

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development; Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture