HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky today announced that Roomful Express Furniture has agreed to move its corporate headquarters and expand its distribution operations within the city of Pittsburgh. The company, which provides retail and wholesale home furnishings, will create 21 jobs within three years and retain 105 jobs.
"I am very pleased Roomful Express Furniture has chosen to stay and grow in Allegheny County," said Secretary Yablonsky. "The company had outgrown its current facility and was considering relocating to Ohio or West Virginia. By choosing to keep its operations here, Roomful Express Furniture clearly recognizes Pennsylvania as a great place to live, work and play."
The Governor's Action Team, economic-development professionals who report directly to Governor Edward G. Rendell and Secretary Yablonsky, worked with Roomful Express Furniture to secure funding for the project. DCED offered the company a financial package totaling $2.08 million that includes a $1.25 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority Loan; $500,000 through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund; a $175,000 Opportunity Grant; $104,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits; and $50,000 in Job Training Assistance.
Roomful Express Furniture's distribution center and corporate headquarters, now in a 270,000-square-foot facility in Lawrenceville, is not large enough to meet the company's expanding business needs. The company will purchase a 597,000-square-foot building in Pittsburgh on a 24-acre site that will provide the space needed for future expansion. The company expects the purchase to take place by the end of this month.
"Roomful Express is very excited about our decision to maintain our corporate headquarters and distribution center in Pennsylvania," said Michael R. Kuhn, President, Roomful Express Furniture. "Staying in Pittsburgh allows us to continue investing in our existing employees, who are such a large reason for our success. We value their dedication to the company and we are looking forward to continuing to grow with them."
In addition to DCED and GAT, the following economic development partners were involved in the retention project: Allegheny Conference on Community Development/Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Allegheny County Department of Economic Development and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.
Roomful Express Furniture is a division of R.H. Kuhn Co. Inc. Originally incorporated in 1958, the company expanded its product line in 1970 to include home furnishings.
For information on DCED funding, visit http://www.inventpa.com. For information on Governor Rendell's economic-stimulus program, visit http://www.newPA.com.
For information about Roomful Express Furniture, visit http://www.roomfulexpress.com.
CONTACT: Penny Kline, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, +1-717-783-1132.