Promotional products firm considers $4M investment

More than 240 jobs would be created in three years.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- A New Kensington, Pa.-based promotional products firm is considering making an investment of at least $4.4 million in a production and distribution facility in Warren, state documents show.
It's a possibility that could bring more than 240 jobs to the area.
Representatives of Leedsworld, based in New Kensington, Pa., will appear Monday before the Ohio Tax Credit Authority and the Development Financing Advisory Council with requests for tax incentives and other possible state assistance for the proposed project.
Officials at the company couldn't be reached to comment.
But state documents say the company would make a fixed-asset investment of at least $4.4 million, including about $2.4 million in facility improvements and $2 million in new machinery and equipment.
According to state documents, Leedsworld would lease a 256,000-square-foot facility in Warren for the production, processing and distribution of promotional material and goods. The facility is reported to be off North River Road in the area of Warren Commerce Park.
241 jobs possible
State documents say the proposed project could result in the creation of 241 full-time jobs within three years of initial operations at average hourly wages of $9.83 per hour plus $2.95 per hour in benefits.
The company's New Kensington facility has grown and needs more space to accommodate future sales, state documents say.
The company has hired consultants to help evaluate locations within 150 miles of the company's current operations.
The site selection team has identified two potential locations in Pennsylvania and the one location in Warren, according to state documents.
Leedsworld is ranked as the fourth-largest supplier in the $16 billion promotional products and advertising specialty industry, according to the state.
The company's products include bags, writing instruments, insulated items, gift sets and more.
On Monday the company will seek approval of a 65 percent, six-year tax credit from the state tax credit authority.
The company also will seek state development advisory council approval of a five-year, low-rate $2 million state loan to buy machinery and equipment.
Tim Yovich of The Vindicator Trumbull staff contributed to this story.