DCED: New State Investments Help Elk County Winery Open, Create Jobs

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A winery strategically located at the gateway to the largest Elk herd east of the Mississippi cut the ribbon today on its new facility in Jay Township, Elk County, with help from the state's Small Business First loan program.

Elk Mountain Winery Inc., which produces and manufactures red, blush, white, fruit, specialty and seasonal wines, received a $65,000 Small Business First loan from the Department of Community and Economic Development to help pay for the project.  

The winery, located along Route 255 South in St. Marys, is in the Pennsylvania Wilds, a 12-county tourism region that features more than 2 million acres of land open for public enjoyment and boasts the biggest elk heard in the Northeast.

"Elk Mountain Winery is designed so that visitors can taste and purchase wine while enjoying the region's many natural attractions," Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Austin Burke said. "This investment provided the winery with vital start-up capital that has leveraged $165,000 in private investments, created jobs and will bring more visitors and tourism dollars into the state."

The $230,000 project, sponsored by the North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission, allowed the company to build a 1,400-square-foot, two-story building for its wine-making operation and gift shop. The financial support also helped pay for land, inventory and materials, as well as the purchase and installation of equipment.  Elk Mountain Winery is committed to create and/or maintain three full-time jobs within the next three years.

Since 2003, the Small Business First loan program has approved 861 projects totaling nearly $136 million that have promised to create 11,000 jobs, retain 16,500 positions, and leverage nearly $459 million in private investment.

Small Business First provides low-interest loans for land and building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment purchases, and working capital to assist certain businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

For more information about Small Business First and other DCED programs that assist businesses in Pennsylvania, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Theresa Elliott, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development