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THOMPSONTOWN - Armstrong Cabinet Products in Juniata County is tentatively slated to receive a $1.15 million infusion from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The money is contingent on the final enacted budget for the commonwealth but if the company does receive the money, it will help fund Armstrong's plan to invest at total of $7.8 million to expand operations at its Thompsontown plant. The bulk of the money, $6.65 million, will come directly from Armstrong.

The company's project was coordinated through Gov. Edward G. Rendell's Action Team, economic development professionals who serve as a single point-of-contact for businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.

A release from Rendell's office states the project will create 125 jobs within three years and keep 393 existing positions.

"Armstrong's decision to expand in Juniata County is great news for Pennsylvania," Rendell said. "To help turn around our economy, there's more reason than ever for Pennsylvania to invest in quality projects that create jobs and leverage private sector investment in the state."

Armstrong hit a bad spur of luck during the past year and the work force shrunk from 500 to 393, through a combination of layoffs, attrition and voluntary departures.

In addition, in January 2008, an accidental fire destroyed a 5,000-square-foot warehouse at the cabinet plant, resulting in the loss of about $2 million.

"We appreciate the commonwealth's support of the value Armstrong brings to the economy as a manufacturer and employer," said Armstrong President and CEO Michael D. Lockhart. "We look forward to continued success as a Pennsylvania-based company."

Lancaster-based Armstrong World Industries Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets. The company operates 37 plants in nine countries and has approximately 11,200 employees worldwide. Armstrong's cabinet division, which manufactures fine kitchen and bath cabinets, is the nation's largest direct distributor of cabinetry.

For more information about Armstrong World Industries, visit www.armstrong.com.