In Letter, Casey Offers His Assistance in Clearing Any Hurdles that May Remain
Casey Has Met With Company Urging the Move to Create Jobs and Boost Economic Growth
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today urged Ocean Spray to relocate a bottling and processing plant to the Lehigh Valley, a move that would bring significant job creation and economic growth to the region. With reports indicating that the company is eying a 44-acre piece of land in Upper Macungie, Senator Casey’s public letter to Ocean Spray CEO Randy Papadellis is the culmination of months of behind the scenes work to bring this major national employer to the region. Last spring, Senator Casey met with Ocean Spray officials and pressed them to come to the region.
“Bringing Ocean Spray to the Lehigh Valley would be a major shot in the arm for jobs and economic growth in the region,” Senator Casey said. “Ocean Spray can look far and wide, but they’ll find that some of the country’s best workers are located in the Lehigh Valley.”
In May, Ocean Spray announced its intention to bring one of its plants to Pennsylvania. Once it became clear that the Lehigh Valley was a possible destination for the company, Senator Casey sat down with Ocean Spray executives urging them to make the move and offering to help in any way he could. In today’s letter, Senator Casey urged the company to quickly finish the final details of the move and begin the process of creating 165 jobs and pumping $130 million in investment into the region’s economy.
Ocean Spray was formed in 1930 by three cranberry growers. Led by lawyer and grower Marcus L. Urann, the three began coming up with new and innovative products made from cranberries. Since then, the Ocean Spray cooperative has grown to more than 600 grower families all across North America.
“Opening an Ocean Spray bottling and processing plant would provide a strong economic boost to the region and create jobs for Pennsylvanians… I stand ready to assist Ocean Spray in relocating its bottling and processing plant to Pennsylvania,” Senator Casey wrote in the letter.
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter to Ocean Spray CEO Randy Papadellis is below:
Mr. Randy Papadellis
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
Dear Mr. Papadellis,
I write to you today to reiterate my support for the construction of an Ocean Spray bottling and processing plant in the Lehigh Valley area. During my meeting with representatives from Ocean Spray last spring, I was pleased to learn that plans for the creation of this facility are moving forward. I remain committed to assisting Ocean Spray with this important job creating project.
Opening an Ocean Spray bottling and processing plant would provide a strong economic boost to the region and create jobs for Pennsylvanians. It is my understanding that this project has the potential to create approximately 165 new permanent manufacturing jobs as well as 175 temporary construction jobs. I welcome the investment in the Lehigh Valley and know that you will be impressed by the quality of the region’s workforce.
I stand ready to assist Ocean Spray in relocating its bottling and processing plant to Pennsylvania. Thank you for your continued effort to bring manufacturing jobs to Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey Jr.
United States Senator
Cc: Mr. Rich Stramm
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