Gov. Ed Rendell presented Werzalit of America Inc. in Bradford
with a check for $600,000 Sunday afternoon to help the company
expand.

Werzalit recently purchased GFP Strandwood Corp., based in
Hancock, Mich. Werzalit is relocating most of Strandwood’s
equipment from Hancock to Bradford, and the Strandwood technology
will complement Werzalit’s product line to allow the company to
expand its pressed-wood product base.

Werzalit, which employed 43 workers before the purchase of
Strandwood, is also making various site improvements to its
existing Bradford facility. The company will now create and retain
68 jobs.

“Werzalit will have 25 new jobs here,” Rendell said. “I believe
19 of those 25 jobs have already been filled.”

Rendell pointed out Werzalit brought the new jobs to
Pennsylvania instead of Michigan, citing the benefits of
Pennsylvania hardwood.

Rendell also expressed the confidence he had in presenting the
money to Werzalit.

“The money will be returned to us in 2 or 2 1/2 years,” Rendell
said. “And the state may come back with even more money (for
Werzalit) to expand more.”

Alan Ramsey, president of Werzalit of America, was presented
with the check. He thanked Rendell with an official Werzalit golf
shirt and a Werzalit table top with “People will doubt what you
say, but they believe what you do,” printed on the top.

Rendell, state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, the McKean
County Commissioners and others then took a tour of the factory, of
which Rendell said he was impressed.

“They have a good team here and good projects like this
project,” Rendell said. “These people didn’t decide to relocate to
Michigan. It’s fascinating. They’re doing two new expansions at the
same time. I’m really impressed.”

Ramsey said he was happy to receive the money and thought the
governor was very gracious.

“He spent time with us even though he was very late in his
schedule,” Ramsey said, noting Rendell had a stop planned in
Smethport after his visit to Werzalit.

Ramsey said the money was needed for the growth of the
company.

“It takes cash to expand,” Ramsey said, pointing out the money
loaned by the governor was a low-interest loan. “We can buy more
equipment now, and the move from Michigan is very expensive.”

Rendell acknowledged Causer’s attendance at the presentation,
noting his dedication to the economic development of the area.

“There’s no Republican or Democrat way of going about economic
development,” Rendell said. “Representative Causer has worked a lot
for economic development and growth in the area. I was told you
could tell how good a representative is by how often he nags the
governor. There’s this blue folder I get at the end of each day (of
items he must address), and there’s not a day that goes by that
there’s not something in there from Representative Causer.”

“I’m very happy to be here to support this project,” Causer
said. “The governor was right in saying this is all about jobs –
more jobs in the area and retaining the jobs that are already here.
This was my first tour (of Werzalit), and this is quite a
facility.”

The McKean County Economic Development Office worked with
Werzalit and the Governor’s Action Team to help secure the funding
offer from the state Department of Community and Economic
Development. The total cost of the company’s expansion project is
$2.2 million.

The Governor’s Action Team serves as a single point of contact
for businesses that are interested in locating or expanding in
Pennsylvania. Since January 2003, the Governor’s Action Team has
successfully completed 669 projects statewide resulting in
commitments for the creation of 68,722 new jobs and the retention
of 180,466 existing positions.

“For as long as I’ve been a commissioner, I believe the governor
has been to McKean County more than any previous governor,” McKean
County Commissioner John Egbert said following Rendell’s visit to
Werzalit. “With the exception of Pitt-Bradford, he has brought more
money to the county (than any other organization). He’s a great
politician and a positive influence, and I’m a Republican. But
really, he’s a good guy and does a good job.”

Egbert also acknowledged money Rendell brought to the community
for Impact Bradford.

“If we put together another package, I believe he’ll be back,”
Egbert added.

Werzalit of America Inc. is a licensee of the Werzalit molding
technology and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Werzalit A.G. &
Company of Germany. The company’s products are made from
Pennsylvania hardwoods, primarily black cherry and maple from the
Allegheny National Forest Werzalit Factory and other local sources.
Werzalit has been located in Bradford since 1978.