Although the subject of many rumors, Microtech Custom Knives
Inc. is still operating in Bradford – but has yet to receive any of
the state incentives promised to secure their relocation to
Bradford from Vero Beach, Fla., earlier this year.

As part of an incentive package announced in February by Gov. Ed
Rendell’s Action Team and the state Department of Community and
Economic Development, Anthony Marfione, the owner of Microtech, was
offered a financial package worth $1.62 million.

All of the incentives require applications, which are apparently
in various stages of consideration by the state.

That package includes the following: a $200,000 opportunity
grant; $500,000 through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund, a
low-interest loan under the Enterprise Zone program from the state
DCED; $700,000 in Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority
financing; and $220,000 in Job Training Assistance.

Kevin Ortiz of the DCED explained, “We are working with Mr.
Marfione and Microtech to process their applications in as timely a
manner as possible. Usually the time frame to fully process a
financial package can take several months.”

The financial package was first offered in February when Rendell
visited Bradford.

Ortiz would not comment on the status of any applications. He
did say, however, that Marfione was “definitely not denied” for any
of the assistance.

“The department needs to do its due diligence making sure we
receive all data for applications to receive funding,” Ortiz
said.

Attempts to reach Marfione throughout the week were
unsuccessful.

In an interview with The Era in early September, Marfione had
expressed his frustration with the “sluggish” response by the state
in getting the incentive funding approved.

The funds are to be used, in part, to purchase new equipment to
expand the operations in Bradford.

Meanwhile, the company continues to operate out of the Office of
Economic and Community Development’s incubator building on Chestnut
Street, explained OECD Executive Director Ray McMahon.

“We’re their landlord,” McMahon said, explained the OECD’s
current involvement with Microtech.

The OECD did assist Microtech when they first came to town with
an $80,000 Economic Development loan to assist the company in its
relocation from Florida to Bradford, but has not provided financial
assistance since then.

McMahon explained that the OECD has made improvements to the
building which the company occupies, but that Microtech is only
leasing that space and the OECD remains the owners.

McMahon could not offer information as to the state financial
package or its progression. He did say that the company is
producing knives in their Chestnut Street location.

“(Marfione) has purchased a house, or is building a house, here
in Bradford,” he said. “You go out there (to the plant) Monday
through Thursday, you will see cars in the parking lot.”

As far as the promise of hundreds of new jobs to the local
economy, McMahon said that he knows Microtech has been advertising
jobs and interviewing people.

“(Marfione) has, from what I understand, a three-year time frame
to keep up his end of the bargain,” McMahon said, referring to the
creation of additional jobs. “He’s progressing. We’re happy that
he’s here.”