Good news: Jobs coming

Coudersport leaders are working on plans to lure employers to move into the former 'Tennis Center' and fill the void created by Time Warner Cable's pullout in February.

Plans are on the drawing board for an expansion of the Morgan AM&T plant -- formerly Pure Carbon -- just east of Coudersport.

Meanwhile, a start-up business is moving into the former Stoltz Motors building in Emporium.

These new developments are welcomed in two communities that are facing the sting of recent job losses and the prospects of additional economic stress in the coming months. At Morgan AM&T, contracts to produce kevlar products, including body armor and vehicle shielding for the U.S. military, as well as manufactured goods for private companies, has created additional job opportunities and space limitations at the Coudersport plant.

A company spokesman said the blueprint for 2007 could include expansion on both the east and west ends of the plant, located along Rt. 6, between Coudersport and Port Allegany.

It's too soon to determine how many additional jobs will be created, but Morgan officials are hoping they can help to cushion the blow of Time Warner's withdrawal from Coudersport next year.

At Emporium, Design Metal Plating expects an initial workforce of about 16 when the plant opens at the former Stoltz garage and showroom. That figure could swell to 50 by late 2008.

DMP provides "electroplating" of powdered and stamped metal parts, a secondary operation to serve the powdered metal industry. The company hopes to begin installing equipment as early as March.