Pennsylvania Welcomes New Manufacturing Facility, Boosting Economic Growth
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is set to witness a significant economic boost with the arrival of Farm Plast, a manufacturer specializing in injection-molded milk crates and storage containers. The venture marks the company’s first facility in the state, situated in Muncy, Lycoming County, and is expected to generate 69 jobs within three years.
Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed an $8 million investment in Farm Plast’s establishment of a 200,000 square-foot facility on Sherman Street, previously a vacant manufacturing site. This expansion will increase the company’s production capabilities and introduce new product lines.
“Under my leadership, Pennsylvania is now one of the top states for business — and the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy. That’s why companies are choosing to invest and grow in our Commonwealth,” stated Governor Shapiro. Highlighting efforts such as reducing bureaucratic hurdles and strategic investments, the governor emphasized the state’s commitment to creating jobs and expanding opportunities.
Joining the celebration of Farm Plast’s new facility were Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development’s Senior Managing Director for BusinessPA, Brent Vernon. Secretary Redding remarked, “Investments like this have real impact — they strengthen the supply chain that our farm and food businesses rely on every day, and they bring new opportunity to rural communities.”
The manufacturing and agriculture sectors are pivotal to Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing over $116 billion and $132.5 billion annually, respectively. These industries are focal points in Governor Shapiro’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy.
Farm Plast, established in 2007, has rapidly become a leader in producing milk crates, bread trays, and moving dollies using injection molding. Approximately 75% of its products are made from reused materials, with the company recycling around 12 million pounds of plastic annually.
Eric Lomak, General Manager of Farm Plast, expressed optimism about the company’s future in Pennsylvania: “Farm Plast is moving full steam ahead with its new manufacturing facility in Muncy, producing high-quality, American-made products and creating jobs in the great state of Pennsylvania.”
The project is supported by Pennsylvania’s BusinessPA team, which assists businesses in navigating the state’s economic landscape. Farm Plast’s funding includes a $3.5 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority and a $500,000 grant from Pennsylvania First.
Pennsylvania’s Business Climate and Growing Economy are Getting National Recognition
- Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, according to a report from Axios based on analysis by Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi.
- Area Development ranked Pennsylvania among the top 20 “Best States for Business.”
- Site Selection Magazine has recognized Pennsylvania as having one of the top business climates, placing 11th in the 2025 Business Climate Rankings.
Unleashing Pennsylvania’s Economic Potential
- Governor Shapiro has attracted nearly $32.5 billion in private-sector investment, creating over 18,000 jobs, including Amazon’s $20 billion investment for new AI and cloud computing campuses.
- Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in two decades has been launched, cutting permit backlogs and investing $550 million into business expansion and small business support.
- The 2025-26 budget continues to support permitting reform and invests in main streets across Pennsylvania.
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