According to a news release, an investment spearheaded by Gov. Josh Shapiro will increase Prysmian’s domestic manufacturing capacity of advanced transmission conductor technology — a critical component for ensuring the reliability and resilience of the U.S. power grid.

Prysmian will expand its Williamsport facility by doubling its capacity to manufacture advanced transmission conductors with E3X technology and thereby increasing the amount of power that can be moved without increasing the physical footprint of a transmission line, the news release said.

Prysmian manufactures thousands of miles of underground and submarine cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, as well as medium and low-voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors. The company also produces a comprehensive range of optical fibers, copper cables and connectivity systems for voice, video and data transmission for the telecommunications sector. The company operates 28 manufacturing plants across North America, including the Williamsport facility.

The facility expansion includes a 51,000-square-foot addition to the existing building to create more manufacturing space, and a retention pond to handle increased stormwater run-off. For its expansion, Prysmian received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $3 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan and a $135,000 Pennsylvania First grant, the news release said. The company was also encouraged to apply for tax credits through the Commonwealth’s Manufacturing Tax Credit Program.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who report directly to Shapiro and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

The city of Williamsport also contributed $125,000 to this expansion project.

“The City of Williamsport is excited to see this expansion of the Prysmian plant here in our community,” said Mayor Derek Slaughter, according to the news release. “Prysmian contributes significantly to our local economy with family-sustaining jobs that add to the quality of life in Williamsport.”

“We are planting a flag here in Pennsylvania — our commonwealth is open for business and we are going to be a leader in innovation, economic development, and job creation,” said Shapiro, according to the news release. “Prysmian Group manufactures the high-tech cables and transmission lines that connect Pennsylvanians and Americans, and as we rebuild our infrastructure and grow our economy, I’m proud that Pennsylvania workers will be building the future. By working with manufacturers like Prysmian, we are turning Pennsylvania into an economic powerhouse and creating good-paying jobs in the process. ”

 ”Gov. Shapiro is committed to making Pennsylvania a global leader in energy and technology jobs, and Prysmian’s expansion is a great example of what the Commonwealth has to offer to companies in these industries,” said acting DCED secretary Rick Siger. “We are aggressively competing with other states to attract more innovative businesses to the Commonwealth — including companies like Prysmian, that bring good-paying jobs to the area and boost the local economy.”

“The expansion of our Williamsport facility will support the growing needs of the power distribution market across North America and serve as an investment in both our factory and our current and future employees,” said Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian Group North America, according to the news release. “This facility upgrade, funded substantially by a long-term supply agreement with Invenergy Transmission, will support Prysmian’s Advanced E3X conductor technology, used to build key long-distance high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission projects across the U.S., including the Grain Belt Express line and New Mexico North Path line. Through this agreement, we will supply up to 12,500 miles of overhead conductor cable from the Williamsport facility through 2029 to support Invenergy’s portfolio, helping to deliver electricity Americans can count on.”

“We are pleased to have this investment being made by Prysmian Group at their Williamsport plant,” said Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, according to the news release. ”They are a great employer and corporate citizen in the community. This expansion will add another 27 family sustaining jobs here with wages for 20 of the positions paying over $50,000 and the remaining seven at more than $70,000. The support by the state through the Governor’s Action Team and City of Williamsport were both key to helping us land this expansion in the city.”

Since taking office, Shapiro has “prioritized attracting businesses to Pennsylvania and retaining those already operating here, and his first budget proposal includes significant investments to build economic prosperity for businesses, workers and communities,” the news release said.

Shapiro has overseen a renewed focus on economic growth, and earlier this month, his administration announced a $300 million expansion in semiconductor component manufacturing in Schuylkill County.