Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Pennsylvania has secured a $10.9 million investment as John Brothers Holdings revives a shuttered facility to begin manufacturing wood components in Union County, according to a news release from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Commonwealth is investing $450,000 to support the project, which will create 78 new jobs over the next three years and retain 465 existing positions.

John Brothers Holdings is acquiring the neighboring site and equipment of a closed cabinetry manufacturer at 100 Industrial Park Road in Mifflinburg. The company is also establishing a new subsidiary, John Brothers Wood Products, which will upgrade and reconfigure the plant’s existing infrastructure to support wood component manufacturing aligned with the company’s broader local supply chain, the news release said. The company has begun hiring a number of previously displaced cabinetry manufacturing workers.

“Pennsylvania is proving that when we compete, we win,” said Shapiro, according to the news release. “This investment represents another major win for the future of Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector and Union County. We’re backing our workforce, strengthening our infrastructure, and building an economy that helps businesses succeed here. My administration will keep competing for – and winning – investments, jobs, and opportunity across the Commonwealth.”

“Today’s announcement reinforces that Pennsylvania is making strategic investments that deliver real results for our communities and our workforce,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger, according to the news release. “This expansion in Mifflinburg will create 78 new jobs, retain 465 existing positions, and bring new life to a previously shuttered facility. The launch of John Brothers Wood Products strengthens Pennsylvania’s manufacturing supply chain while also creating a pathway for displaced workers to get back on the job. We’re thrilled to support companies that are growing, investing, and building long-term opportunity right here in Pennsylvania.”

Johns Brothers Holdings is a Pennsylvania-based, family-owned corporation headquartered in Mifflinburg.

“When we received the news that our neighboring business was shutting down and laying off 175 employees, we were as surprised as everyone else,” said Paul D. John, president and CEO of John Brothers Holdings. “Our immediate thought was: how can we help? We started looking at whether we could put that facility and our community back to work by manufacturing products we were buying from outside sources, and whether we could build enough around that to support the investment. With input from our division managers and support from Governor Shapiro’s team, we’re finding a path forward. We’re very excited to be hiring workers back. This will be a generational investment, but one we believe this community absolutely deserves.”

“The commitment to our region from companies like John Brothers Holdings is inspiring,” said Jennifer Wakeman, executive director for DRIVE. “Their investment brings jobs and opportunity which enrich our communities and we’re happy to support their efforts.”