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FesslerUSA Receives Solar Power Facility Funding

   FesslerUSA Receives Solar Power Facility Funding
                Orwigsburg, PA (May 18, 2009) – FesslerUSA, an Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania based company that provides design services and manufactures apparel, today announced that the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (“PIDA”) will provide a $1.6 million loan to help fund a project to add a 1 megawatt photovoltaic solar power generating system to the FesslerUSA Deer Lake manufacturing facility.
FesslerUSA purchased the Dixon Ticonderoga building in Deer Lake early in 2007. With the support the Ben Franklin Partnership and the Electrotechnology Applications Center of Northampton Community College (“ETAC”), FesslerUSA immediately began an effort to evaluate alternative energy options for the facility.
“We knew that Pennsylvania was dropping its caps on electric rates on January 1, 2010 and electric rates for industrial companies are expected to jump by up to 40%,” according to Bonnie Meck, FesslerUSA’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Since we use considerable electricity in our manufacturing process, and the clock was ticking, we wanted to evaluate every option to help us maintain our competitiveness in this globally competitive marketplace.”
“We have been committed to manufacturing in Pennsylvania for over 109 years,” added Walter Meck, FesslerUSA’s CEO. “We are supported by a great team of employees and contractors. For them, we will find a way to remain in Pennsylvania.”
After evaluating a number of alternatives including wind turbines, the use of photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity was recommended by ETAC. FesslerUSA embraced the concept but quickly learned that Pennsylvania lagged behind a number of other states in the structural framework needed to make solar power work on an industrial level.
“We soon learned that we were trailblazers,” said Walter Meck. “Europe and a number of states in the USA have made great progress, but Pennsylvania is just learning what it takes to make solar work. A myriad of financial and regulatory challenges presented themselves at every turn in the road.”
The good news for FesslerUSA is that the Pennsylvania and Federal legislatures recognize the need for alternative energy and have embraced making this project happen. “We really appreciate the continual support of Congressman Holden, Senator Argall and their staffs, who have worked with us since the day we started,” noted Bonnie Meck. “And the Governor’s Action Team can make things happen.”
In October of 2008, FesslerUSA received a $1.0 million grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority for the project. And this week, with the support of SEDCO (the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.), PIDA authorized a $1.6 million project loan.
The PIDA funds will help fund the $5.4 million project to add a new roof to the Deer Lake facility and to complete the solar power project. The photovoltaic solar panels to be installed on the roof will generate over 1,000,000 kwh of electricity each year. Though a few challenges remain, the company plans to be generating electricity before the end of 2009.
The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority provides capital for infrastructure acquisition, creation and renovation projects, primarily for manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers looking to establish national or regional headquarters in Pennsylvania.
FesslerUSA is a leading producer of exclusively American made quality knitwear and fabrics. Continuously operating and employing Pennsylvanians for over 109 years, its products are solely made in Pennsylvania and shipped globally. More information on FesslerUSA can be found at www.FesslerUSA.com.
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FesslerUSA
H.H. Fessler Knitting Co., Inc.
PO Box 215     216 West Independence Street     Orwigsburg, PA 17961