MORE JOBS COMING
State comes through for DMP

One of the Emporium area's newest employers, Design Metal Plating Inc., has qualified for state assistance to help expand the workforce to an estimated 50 within the next two to three years.

DMP opened its plant in October in the former Stoltz Motors service center on Sizerville Road. A growing customer base is expected to allow the company to steadily add new jobs and expand to three shifts.

Breakdown of state assistance announced last week for DMP is as follows: $50,000 grant, $50,000 in job training funds, $50,000 in tax credits and a $497,000 low-interest loan.

Last year, DMP qualified for a $100,000 low-interest loan from the Cameron County Industrial Development Authority.

DMP acquired the 18,000 square foot Stoltz building, renovated it and acquired equipment as part of its $1.5 million start-up costs. The company hopes to expand the building onto an adjoining lot later this year.

DMP continues to target customers in the powdered metal, hardware, fastener, metal shaping and military fields. The firm offers services that will complement the powdered metal industries now operating in Cameron County, but DMP's client list will extend far beyond the local area.

Employees are trained in resin impregnation, grit blasting, baking for hydrogen embrittlement, polishing, and several plating options.

DMP closed on the property last April, purchasing it from Stoltz Realty Partnership for $376,000.

A separate Stoltz property that was once part of the car dealership, the former sales office on the highway's east side, was purchased by the state to expand the Elk State Forest District headquarters.