The Village of Schoharie has agreed to back a request from Harva to seek up to $100,000 in CDBG funding to expand its third-generation plastics firm there.
Harva is looking to spend $.5 million to add three new machines and at least four fulltime jobs in 2024, said SEEC Executive Director Julie Pacatte, who is helping them with the Community Block Grant application.
After 75 years, “We are thrilled to see Harva is still here, still going strong,” Ms. Pacatte said.
Harva has committed to hiring low- to moderate-income employees and training them to work on the new milling and CNC—computerized numerical control—machines, Ms. Pacatte said, a requirement of the grant, which tops out at $100,000.
Harva currently employs 19, she said; the grant could actually end up funding as many as six new jobs.
SEEC would be the sub-recipient of the grant, handling the pre-application and application process as well as administering it, Ms. Pacatte said, paid for through the grant.
The next step in the process will be a public hearing at the Village Board’s January 9 meeting, but Mayor Larry Caza said Tuesday that the application has their support.
“The board is definitely interested in supporting this,” he said.
Harva has been manufacturing plastics in Schoharie since 1949.
It specializes in plastic fabricated parts, including CNC machining, drilling, milling, and adhesive bonding using thermoforming, pressure forming, and die cutting.
Amber McGiver is the general manager.