Technical Process and Engineering, Inc. will invest more than $1.6 million in an expansion that will add 6,000 square-feet to its existing 22,000 square-foot facility in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, resulting in 34 new and retained jobs in Carbon County.

The firm manufactures equipment for the plastics and rubber industries. Since 1979, TPE has also provided machining, technical, and manufacturing support services to the thermoplastic and rubber industries.

“Our efforts to improve Pennsylvania’s business climate and work with our regional partners in the field is resulting in new jobs for our workers,” Gov. Tom Corbett said. “Technical Process and Engineering’s expansion marks the third jobs announcement in Northeast Pennsylvania in June, bringing nearly 400 new jobs to the region.”

“In 1985, Technical Process and Engineering, working with the newly formed Carbon County Development Corporation received its first Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan and turned what was a burned out barn into a world-class manufacturer of capital equipment for the rubber and plastics industries,” said Slate Altenburg, founder of TPE. “The work ethics and capabilities of our employees have led to growth beyond our expectations, and the assistance of the commonwealth will give us the capability to continue that growth.”

The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a $30,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $32,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a $7,200 Guaranteed Free Training grant which will be used to train its new workforce. A $340,000, 10-year, low-interest loan at 1.5 percent from the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund was also included.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Carbon County Economic Development.