WOZNIAK ANNOUNCES JOB CREATION IN JOHNSTOWN

KDH Defense Systems, Inc., will generate 150 jobs within three years at the former Bestform plant

            JOHNSTOWN, Jan. 10, 2005 – Sewing is still is going strong in Johnstown’s Broad Street manufacturing facility, with KDH Defense Systems, Inc., planning to create 150 jobs within three years at the former Bestform plant.

            “This is great news, both for KDH and the people of Johnstown,” Wozniak said. “Broad Street is moving once again, many Bestform employees are going back to work, and we’ll see a cleaner, more productive manufacturing district with the revitalization of this brownfield site.”

Wozniak joined Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Yablonsky and state Rep Edward P. Wojnaroski, Sr., (D-Cambria) in Johnstown Monday to make this economic development announcement.

KDH Defense Systems, Inc., is leasing 15,000-square-feet of space at the Broad Street facility for the manufacture of bulletproof vests and components for the U.S. military.

“KDH has already hired 41 employees, some of whom lost their jobs when Bestform closed its doors in 2002,”

Yablonsky said. “This is a prime example of how a successful partnership between local, state and federal agencies makes everyone a winner—especially the community.”

DCED, working in concert with the Governor’s Action Team (GAT), Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI) and the city of Johnstown, has offered KDH a $622,000 funding package. This includes a $280,000 Opportunity Grant; $300,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits; and $42,000 in Job Training Assistance.

In 2004, the Commonwealth funded $114.9 million in economic development initiatives overseen by GAT, which helped to create a total of 7,379 jobs and retain 14,856 additional positions.

Bestform, which once employed more than 1,000 workers at several local facilities, closed its Johnstown plant in 2001.

            “I’m proud to say that this building is getting a new start—-and that a Johnstown business will be providing critical protective equipment for our service personnel,” Wozniak said. “Now, with KDH as the anchor, I look forward to seeing other businesses fill the Broad Street building.”

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