SCOTT TWP. — A manufacturer of beauty, skin-care and personal-care products underscored its commitment to Lackawanna County through a new $60 million, 200,000-square-foot facility in the Scott Technology Park.
Kolmar’s second campus within the park will create 280 jobs, while retaining an additional 290 existing positions, state officials said.
The project, initially announced in 2019, included an incentive package from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $480,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTC) and a $126,000 WEDnet grant to train workers, state officials said. The project is also located in a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ), which has provided the company $4.6 million in tax benefits.
Kolmar officials and local business leaders gathered Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the construction of the building, which includes new administrative offices, as well as state-of-the-art production capabilities.
Kolmar officials expressed optimism about the potential for future growth in Scott Twp.
“This is not just the opening of a manufacturing facility, it’s the celebration of a vision, opportunity and partnership,” said Yoon Sang-hyun, vice chairman of the Kolmar Group. “In 2016, we made a decision to locate here in the Scranton (area). We selected Pennsylvania for several important reasons: distance to the market and to the end customer, space for future expansion, a skilled workforce and infrastructure to contribute to the operation, and support from the state and local government. This community has welcomed us and continues to support all our projects.”
Michael Giannetta, chairman of the Scott Twp. Board of Supervisors, called the Scott Technology Park —which opened in 1990 — a “huge asset” to the township and surrounding communities.
“The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), and the board of supervisors at the time had the vision that this would be a magnet for job development and expansion of the tax base,” he said. “The Scott Technology Park is a gem in Lackawanna County … we’re only two minutes from Interstate 81. It’s very easy to get in and out of here.”
Giannetta said he appreciates Kolmar’s continued commitment to the township and its residents as the company has been a member of the local community since 1993.
“Kolmar has really been a good neighbor in addition to being a great employer,” he said. “They donate to the police department’s K-9 unit and our Halloween event for kids every year. We’re glad they chose Scott Twp. to expand and we look forward to working with them for many, many years down the road.”
Bob Durkin, president and CEO of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, said the Scott Technology Park has been thriving after a bit of a slow start.
“The whole concept of this park was not only job creation, but specifically quality manufacturing and the prospects of research, development and life sciences — a mix that is different from some of the other parks we’ve developed through SLIBCO,” he said. “The Scott park has always been unique and it took a little while for it to take off. But it has really taken off now. With the growth of jobs at this site, we’re up to almost 800 jobs in the park.”
The new facility lays the foundation for Kolmar’s ultimate goal of building a cosmetic industrial complex that will include introducing supply chain partners to Northeast Pennsylvania, chamber officials said.
Additionally, Yoon feels the new building in Scott Twp. will allow Kolmar to meet the growing needs of its customers.
“The facility sets a benchmark for excellence in beauty manufacturing,” he said. “We built this not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them. We see northeastern Pennsylvania as the center of future innovation for the cosmetics industry in North America. This investment is the beginning of a long-term commitment to growth.”
State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., provided remarks Wednesday morning during a program to recognize Kolmar’s $60 million expansion project in Scott Twp. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Scott Twp. Supervisor Michael Giannetta provides remarks during a program to celebrate the expansion of Kolmar inside the Scott Technology Park on Wednesday. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
A look inside Kolmar’s new facility in Scott Twp. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
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State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., provided remarks Wednesday morning during a program to recognize Kolmar’s $60 million expansion project in Scott Twp. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)