Rendell Administration Cuts Ribbon for New Facility in Lackawanna County; Expansion Will Create 20 Jobs, Retain 40 Existing Jobs

SCRANTON, Pa., Aug. 19, 2003 -- On behalf of Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, David Yeager, Director of the Governor's Action Team, today participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Kemper Auto and Home, which is moving into a larger Lackawanna County facility in a project that will lead to the creation of 20 jobs and the retention of 40 jobs.

Kemper Auto and Home, a company that specializes in the sale of personal automobile and homeowner's insurance, is moving to a new 10,000-square-foot facility -- a space three times the size of its current office -- to accommodate their Customer Services Center.

The Customer Service Center handles all of Kemper Auto and Home customer services-related inquiries from both agents and policyholders and serves as headquarters for Kemper Connection, Kemper Auto and Home's policy maintenance service designed to help increase agency productivity.

"Governor Rendell is committed to making Pennsylvania an economic leader by investing in growth," Yeager said. "The Plan for a New Pennsylvania looks ahead in our state - not just to next month or next year, but to the next decade and beyond. We are taking proactive steps to get where we want to go. We are making the targeted investments that will give our communities the highest return on the investment. And we are confident that Kemper Auto and Home is a sound investment for Scranton, and for Pennsylvania."

"We have a long-standing commitment to the City of Scranton," said William Downard, Kemper Auto and Home Director of Customer Care. "We are looking forward to bringing more jobs to the area. Every bit of our current space is occupied, and the new space will give us plenty of room to accommodate our current staff and also expand our team in the future."

Kemper Auto and Home specializes in the sale of personal automobile and homeowner's insurance through a network of leading independent agents. Kemper Auto and Home has been a part of the Unitrin group of companies since June 2002. Kemper Auto and Home had net written premium in excess of $650 million last year.

The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with regional offices in Syracuse, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Scranton, Overland Park, Dallas and Folsom. Kemper Auto and Home has approximately 1,200 employees countrywide.

The Governor's Action Team, economic-development professionals who report directly to Gov. Rendell, worked with Kemper Auto and Home to make this project a reality. To support the project, Governor Rendell has agreed to provide a financial package that includes $40,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTC).

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce also was a key partner in bringing this project to Scranton. "We're delighted that Kemper Auto and Home is growing so well," stated Austin J. Burke, President of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. "Kemper Auto and Home is a community-minded organization, and The Scranton Plan feels fortunate to assist the company as it grows in our community."

For information on DCED funding, visit the DCED website at www.inventpa.com.