Lancaster company receives $3.5M investment from Shapiro Administration

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An investment of $3.5 million to support the expansion of Lancaster County cookie maker Taylor Chip is being made by the commonwealth, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday. 

Taylor Chip’s $15.1 million expansion project will include the creation of at least 35 new full-time jobs and retention of an additional 23 jobs statewide. Founded in 2018 by the husband-and-wife team Doug and Sara Taylor, Taylor Chip has locations in Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hershey, Intercourse, York, and two new locations in Philadelphia. The company also ships its cookies nationwide. 

“Taylor Chip is extremely honored to be partnering with Pennsylvania in the next big expansion of our product line and manufacturing abilities,” Doug Taylor, founder, and CEO of Taylor Chip, said in a statement. “We are grateful for the Shapiro Administration and the work they’ve done to support and grow the spirit of entrepreneurship within Pennsylvania.”  

According to a release, Taylor Chip will build a new, 25,000-square-foot facility at its existing location at 1780 Columbia Avenue in West Hempfield Township. The new facility will allow the company to expand its cookie manufacturing operation and add ice cream production capabilities. Taylor Chip looks to use locally sourced dairy for its new ice cream line, helping grow Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector, one of five priority sectors identified in Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy. 

“Since day one, my administration has prioritized making meaningful investments to help position Pennsylvania as an economic leader and grow our agriculture sector — there is no better place than Pennsylvania for businesses to flourish, and homegrown companies like Taylor Chip are great examples of the success that can be achieved in our commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “Taylor Chip’s growth is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in Pennsylvania, and it underscores the vital role local businesses play in driving economic progress, creating jobs, and strengthening our communities.” 

This expansion project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the Governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. 

Taylor Chip received a funding proposal from the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) for a $2,625,000 Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan and a $470,076 extension of a Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant that was awarded to the company in 2019. 

“The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing in companies like Taylor Chip that are helping bolster agriculture in Pennsylvania. We look forward to seeing this Pennsylvania-based company expand and thrive here in the Commonwealth,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Agriculture, one of Pennsylvania’s most important industries, is included in the five key industries we’re focusing on in Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy.” 

As part of the funding proposal to Taylor Chip, the company also has applied for a $400,000 grant through the Department of Agriculture’s Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program. 

“Helping food manufacturers like Taylor Chip expand in Pennsylvania creates new opportunities for the local farms that supply their ingredients,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “It’s a win-win investment that helps Pennsylvania stay on top as America’s snack food capital and demonstrates the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for growth in the industry that feeds us all.”