R.G. Steel to Add Coating Business, 65 Jobs

PULASKI, Pa. – A company that manufactures guardrails, steel posts and sign supports used along roads and highways says it will add a new coating operation and create another 65 jobs.

R.G. Steel Corp. plans to construct a 50,000-square-foot facility under a new sister company, R.G. Coatings LLC.  The new plant will allow the company to bring the zinc galvanizing process in-house instead of continuing to outsource the service.

“Another company had been doing coatings in the past, but they decided they wanted to integrate the business themselves,” said Alex McCoy, CEO of the Lawrence County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We’re incredibly excited about R.G. Steel’s commitment and are grateful to the governor’s office and his team to make this project possible.” 

R.G. Steel President David Price said that this expansion would help accelerate the company’s growth.  

“As R.G. Steel is poised for growth, the addition of R.G. Coating will jump-start this growth,” he said. 

The new plant would be built next to R.G. Steel’s existing plant at 8301 Mercer St. R.G. Coating plans to invest $13.6 million into the project, according to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The project would also retain 25 positions.

Price said the project found support through state and local development organizations such as the Governor’s Action Team and the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp. The entities provided the assistance the business needed to expand in Lawrence County, he said.

“It is a great project for us and it will be great to have additional jobs in the county,” said Linda Nitch, director of business development for the chamber. She said that the chamber worked closely with the company and the governor’s team to provide the support it needed to expand here.

“They were very determined to do this project locally so they could give the region an opportunity for additional employment,” she said. 

The Department of Community and Economic Development provided $200,000 through a Pennsylvania First grant to R.G. Coating, while the project received $130,000 in job creation tax credits. Another $29,250 was made available through a workforce development grant that would be used to train new employees.

R.G. Coating was also encouraged to apply for a low-interest $3.25 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Authority to help with construction and equipment costs. 

“We’re proud that R.G. has selected Pennsylvania as the best place to grow the business,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. “Any time a manufacturer puts down roots here in the commonwealth, it creates family-sustaining jobs, boosts our manufacturing sector and strengthens our economy.”

R.G. Steel, established in 1993, manufactures highway guardrail products and custom fabricated structural steel that meet federal and state departments of transportation specifications. 

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