Pennsylvania DCED Secretary Davin Continues 'Jobs that Pay' Tour at Champion Modular, Inc. in Juniata County

LIVERPOOL, Pa., Dec. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin today continued his 'Jobs that Pay' tour at Champion Modular, Inc., a custom producer of homes and commercial structures.

"Champion is one of the many manufacturing companies that are choosing Pennsylvania as the best place to grow and flourish. We were pleased to welcome the company to its new Juniata County location this fall," said Sec. Davin. "Equally exciting as Champion's move to Liverpool is its decision to reopen a facility that had been vacant for several months and its efforts to rehire many of the workers who lost their jobs."   

Of the 246 job creation commitment, Champion has already hired 55 full-time, permanent employees. An additional 70 employees will be hired in January 2017 when production commences.

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 – Champion purchased and reopened a vacant manufacturing facility in Liverpool, Juniata County. The company has committed to investing $4.83 million in the project, which will create 246 new, full-time jobs over the next three years.

"Champion greatly appreciates the support we are receiving from the DECD and the local community in our efforts to re-open this facility," said Champion President Mark Yost. "The key to any successful business is its people, and we are extremely pleased with the caliber of the employees who have joined our Liverpool team. Collectively we look forward to producing quality homes with the custom features that customers expect."

In October, the company received a funding proposal from DCED that included a $300,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $492,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $81,000 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.

Founded in 1953, Champion specializes in a wide variety of manufactured, modular, and park model homes, as well as modular buildings for the multi-family, hospitality, senior, and workforce housing sectors. Champion started as a single manufacturing facility in rural Michigan and grew to offer factory-built housing and other structures throughout the U.S., U.K., and western Canada. The company operates 28 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, and employs more than 4,200 people worldwide.

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 more information on Champion, visit www.championhomes.com. Those interested in pursuing an employment opportunity at the Liverpool facility are encouraged to contact Champion at kfawver@championmodularhomes.com.

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

MEDIA CONTACT: David Misner, 717-783-1132

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development