The world’s largest integrated specialty gas facility will not only position Pennsylvania as a global leader in the industry but will reinvigorate a business climate to compete with China and the world.

That was part of a message delivered Wednesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro to 300 people gathered at EMD Electronics in Hometown.

A new commitment of capital investment, about $300 million from a variety of sources, at the Schuylkill County operation will take the industry to a new level, developers said.

Shapiro said the news will carry plenty of impact.

“Economic development partners should take notice to what’s happening in the Tamaqua area. It will make this area stronger. The work you’re doing here is critically important to our country ... the work you do will power the world.”

At times, Shapiro spoke directly to many of the 400 employees as they gear up to welcome an additional 70 expected to be hired.

“We need semiconductors to succeed so that we can all succeed. This is a key to our economy and our national security. We need to compete with China. We are a leader and we will take the fight to other nations as well,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro also announced an additional, supportive $1 million Pennsylvania First Program grant.

EMD Electronics President Jeff White said the good news involves everybody.

“We’re celebrating the power of collaboration - management, labor, investment, government - to further the Commonwealth.”

White also noted the global impact.

“We ship our products all over the world.”

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development acting director Rick Siger said that the entire state is better for the news.

“This is a great moment not just for EMD, but for Pennsylvania.”

New infrastructure will include a 96,500-square-foot facility, creating the largest integrated specialty gases facility in the world.

The new facilities will allow EMD Electronics to meet surging demand in the electronics and semiconductor industries, planners said.

According to senior manager Randy Kalce, of Sugarloaf, new facilities will enhance production capacity of tungsten hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride, critical components in semiconductor manufacturing.

Jim Minicucci, global head for specialty gases, said the innovations at EMD will promote “robust and resilient supply chains,” as opposed to recent supply chain issues seen globally.

He also said much emphasis is being put on “new materials and new gases that’ll help reduce greenhouse emissions ... a commitment to environmental sustainability.”

State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, was thanked for his support of the project.

Training specialist Susan Fegley, of Hometown, a 46-year employee, said it’s an exciting time to work at the company.

“We hired 40 new employees in one day alone.”

The facility, which will celebrate a 50-year anniversary later this year, was known for decades as Air Products and Chemicals.

The firm represents the North American electronics business of Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany.

Merck manufactures chemical-mechanical planarization slurries, ultrathin dielectric and metal precursors of film, formulated cleans and etching products, and delivery equipment for the semiconductor and electronics display industries.

EMD Electronics is one of the 10 largest manufacturing employers in Schuylkill County.

The last time a sitting governor visited Tamaqua was 21 years ago when Gov. Mark Schweiker arrived with a $5 million state grant to help the town convert a former high school into a Lehigh Carbon Community College branch campus.