Governor Corbett Announces Affinia Facility Will Create More Than 150 Jobs in Schuylkill County

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that state economic development efforts will enable Affinia Group Inc., a global automotive replacement parts company, to locate a new East Coast distribution center in northeastern Pennsylvania.

"Affinia's decision to move to Schuylkill County is a great example of state government partnering with local economic development organizations to attract well-paying jobs to the region," said Corbett. "My administration is committed to improving our business climate and making smart investments to make sure those jobs continue coming to Pennsylvania."

Affinia will locate its East Coast distribution center in a leased 289,000-square-foot building in the Humboldt West Industrial Park in East Union Township, Schuylkill County. The new distribution center will create at least 150 jobs over the next 12 months.

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

The company received a $744,950 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development, including a $375,000 opportunity grant, $67,950 in job training assistance, and $302,000 in job creation tax credits.  

"Our new distribution center in greater Hazleton will fulfill a strategic mission for Affinia in serving customers throughout the Eastern U.S.," said David Overbeeke, President, Affinia Global Brake & Chassis. "We selected this site because of its ideal location at the crossroads of Interstates 80 and 81, along with easy access to other major transportation routes. Best of all, the Hazleton area offers an outstanding quality of life and the talented, dedicated workforce that we need to provide quality, responsive service for our customers."

Affinia is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of industrial-grade products and services, with a focus on aftermarket parts for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles.  Headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, Affinia has operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia.  

"We are pleased to welcome Affinia to the Hazleton area," said Kevin O'Donnell, president of CAN DO, Inc., Greater Hazleton's economic development agency. "The company brings with it a substantial number of jobs for the residents of the Hazleton area, which is great news in any economic climate, especially in these times when few projects are being started."

For more information on Affinia, visit www.affiniagroup.com.

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.

Media contacts:

Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Steven Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor