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SMITHFIELD, PA-Johnson Matthey Inc. has selected a site near the planned I-68 expressway here in Fayette County for construction of an 118,000-sf manufacturing plant. The company is a London-based specialty chemicals firm with operations in 30 countries, including North America regional headquarters in Wayne.

The estimated construction cost of the new facility is $43 million. Working with the Governor's Action Team, the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council has arranged for a $3.5-million incentive package. It includes a nearly $2.3-million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, an $825,000 opportunity grant, a $300,000 infrastructure development program grant and $200,000 in customized job training funds. The land is a designated Keystone Opportunity Zone, which forgives state and local taxes for up to 10 years.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has called for stricter heavy-duty diesel emission standards by Jan. 1, 2010. This facility will manufacture control catalysts that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxygen from heavy-duty diesel vehicle exhaust and expects to produce more than one million such units a year. It will be fully operational by the end of 2009 and employ 110 within the next three years.