Manufacturer to move into former WestRock plant in Hazleton
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - WestRock's Hazleton plant.
HAZLETON – A plant in Hazleton is finding new life as a trash bag manufacturer is moving here from New York City.
Mint-X, manufacturer of rodent-repellent trash bags, is moving to the former WestRock plant at 33 Powell Drive in the Heights section of the city.
The company, Governor Josh Shapiro’s Office says, is moving to that larger facility from a plant in Queens and it will create 101 new, full-time jobs over the next three years.
“We are very excited to move our operation to Northeastern Pennsylvania, and we’re grateful for the warm welcome we’ve already received from the Commonwealth,” said Jeff Dussich, CEO, Mint-X. “We spent more than a year searching for a new home for our manufacturing facility. The strong labor pool and strategic location near the intersection of I-80 and I-81 ultimately made Hazleton the perfect place for us.”
The state is pitching in through a $300,000 Pennsylvania First Grant and a $1,592,686 Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA).
Mint-X has a 15-year lease at the plant and the relocation will allow them to increase production and develop new products.
“This project is boosting Luzerne County’s rich manufacturing industry, and creating over 100 new, good-paying jobs for the region,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger. “We’re thrilled Mint-X has chosen Pennsylvania to grow, and the Shapiro Administration will continue to support projects like this one that create more opportunities for Pennsylvanians and help revitalize communities.”
The company was founded in 2008 and manufactures and distributes the world’s only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered and patented rodent-repellent trash bags.
Atlanta-based WestRock closed in Oct. 2023.
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