La Plume – Keystone College will participate in an economic development project to help Deep Park Lumber, an established business in nearby Tunkhannock, create new jobs and retain existing ones by expanding and modernizing its manufacturing facility.
Keystone, located just a few miles away from Deer Park, will offer valuable information technology assistance, particularly in the form of customized software training, to company employees.
“Keystone College is proud to partner with Deer Park Lumber on this important economic development initiative,” said Keystone President Tracy L. Brundage, Ph.D.
“All of Wyoming County will benefit in numerous ways as Deer Park creates new jobs and retains existing ones. We are thrilled to offer valuable expertise which will benefit our local community.”
Keystone President Tracy L. Brundage
Deer Park received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $3 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan, a $114,000 Pennsylvania First grant, and a $52,800 workforce development grant to help train its new workers. The company has committed to investing $10 million into the project, creating eight jobs and retaining 74 jobs over the next three years.
In conjunction with the project, the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission (NTRPDC) secured for the company a $10,000 grant for website internationalization through DCED’s Office of International Business Development’s (OIBD’s) Global Access Program, funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. NTRPDC also worked through OIBD’s authorized trade representative in Mexico to open up additional markets for the company.
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.
Deer Park is a second-generation family owned hardwood sawmill. The company purchases native hardwoods from private woodlot owners and ships kiln-dried lumber domestically and internationally. Deer Park also provides professional forestry management services.
With the lowest tuition of any private college in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Keystone offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree options in liberal arts and science-based programs in business, communications, education, natural science, environmental science, and social sciences. Located 15 minutes from Scranton, Pa. and two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, Keystone is known for small class sizes and individual attention focused on student success through internships, research, and community involvement.
