Biden administration proposes $3 million investment to help expand Powerex facility in Hempfield Township
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Biden administration is proposing a significant investment into Powerex, a manufacturing facility in Westmoreland Co.
On Friday, it announced it's looking to invest up to $3 million in Powerex.
Its workers actively make electronic parts for military and commercial use. Now, it could be getting a big boost in funding from the federal government.
Garold Mobley is a project manager for the semiconductor manufacturer, Powerex.
"They're in everything we use daily," Garold Mobley, a project manager for the semiconductor manufacturer at Powerex, said.
Specifically, a large portion of the plant's production is dedicated to supporting military equipment.
"Jets, ground-based vehicles, radar systems, weapon systems," Mobley said.
The company has been around since 1986 and for 30 years prior came under Westinghouse. On Friday, it's one of a handful of U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and employs more than 200 workers.
According to the Biden administration, for decades, the U.S. was making nearly 40 percent of the world's semiconductors. Currently, it's just 12 percent.
To remedy this, and maintain, revitalize and grow our supply chain, the federal government passed the Chips and Science Act in 2022.
"It's a very big win for the company, and also the industry, and also the area to for us to be able to expand in the demanding rise in demand for semiconductors," Mobley said when talking about the proposed boost in funding.
The proposed investment would support the company's total investment of $15 million to help expand its production facility. It would nearly double the plant's capacity, modernize key equipment and create more than 55 manufacturing and up to 20 construction jobs.
"It allows opportunity for growth so we can get some more people in here to do some great work," Mobley said.
Hempfield Township Manager Aaron Siko said the impact would spread throughout the community.
"Hempfield Township continues to maintain a low tax rate, so maintaining businesses and jobs in the community helps us do that."
In a statement, Powerex CEO Joseph Wolf says "This proposed investment allows us to meet rising demand with U.S. made products while building a stronger future for our team and community."
