MCIDC?board meets to discuss ongoing projects

LEWISTOWN - The Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation met on Tuesday to discuss several ongoing projects.

Work continues in the industrial plaza at several buildings occupied by Kardex USA Inc.

Kardex is a local manufacturer of automated storage and retrieval systems, and was recently acquired by a Zurich, Switzerland-based company, Kardex AG. Kardex AG signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire the assets of U.S. competitor Kardex Systems Inc., which previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a U.S. court.

The plant in the plaza is being completely upgraded, including new equipment, a new roof and other renovations.

Money for the project was made possible through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and a loan obtained by MCIDC from a local bank. Estimated cost for the project is around $2 million.

In other business, MCIDC President Rob Postal said a pending loan for First Quality Baby Products LLC, is that much closer to being distributed.

The $2.3-million loan is through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

First Quality, located in Granville Township, will receive the loan to construct a new, 1 million-square-foot facility in Granville Township to house the company's manufacturing operation. The loan is a component of a $9.7 million Governor's Action Team funding package.

Postal said MCIDC applied for the loan on behalf of First Quality and will "re-loan" it to the company.

First Quality will receive the loan from PIDA at 3-percent interest for 15 years.