Gov. Tom Wolf attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Evonik’s Allentown Innovation Hub Sept. 1 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Evonik, which is an international leader in chemical manufacturing, has invested more than $50 million into the project, according to a press release from the governor’s office. The company chose its location in Trexlertown to expand instead of relocating outside of Pennsylvania and bought its leased manufacturing facility to build a business and technology center.
The center will have at least 60 laboratories where the company will test and develop products, the release stated.
“This exciting, state-of-the-art space will support Evonik’s global growth and bring new, good-paying jobs to the Allentown region,” Wolf said in the release. “When I took office in 2015, I promised to support and create jobs that pay – this $2.5 million investment is one project out of more than 420 to create and retain more than 191,000 jobs, it’s a promise fulfilled.”
The Governor’s Action Team (GAT) was responsible for coordinating the $2.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant, which supported the project, according to the release.
Wolf has invested almost $17.8 billion through the GAT, which has led to a partnership with 430 companies and created or retained 191,000 jobs, the release stated. The Evonik project is expected to create 50 jobs and retain 277.
“Allentown is an increasingly important part of our footprint in North America,” said Bonnie Tully, Evonik’s president of its North America region. “The opening of our innovation hub marks the next phase of our growth trajectory in the region.”
Manufacturing has been a focal point for Wolf since he took office, as it is a rapidly advancing industry in Pennsylvania. Between 2016 and 2021 manufacturing’s economic output went from $85 billion to $92 billion, according to the release.
In 2017, Wolf created a Manufacturing Training-to-Career (MTTC) program. This and the Manufacturing PA Initiative have provided more than $17 million to support 82 projects, according to the release.
Wolf is not running for re-election and has vowed to invest $4.7 million more in MTTC grants before he leaves office, the release stated.