An article from 1971 noted the increase in jobs in the Schuylkill County garment industry. The names of the plants in the area were also given. The history of this enterprise needs further research.
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From the Pottsville Republican, February 6, 1971:
GARMENT INDUSTRY IS LEADER IN COUNTY
The Atlantic Apparel Contractors Association employs 67,273 people in northeastern Pennsylvania. Its $250 million payroll plays an important part in the economic picture of the seven-county area which includes Schuylkill. The $24 million in tax payments are important to the life of the state and nation, says Arnold Delin, Pottsville, regional director of the Apparel Association.
The Association has 400 modern, efficient plants, linked together by a private radio communications system.
Atlantic Apparel Association plants in this area include:
- A. B. Gezint, MarLin
- Peek A Boo Styles, Schuylkill Haven
- Amy Sportswear, Valley View
- Angela Sportswear, Port Carbon
- Honey Bee Blouse, Branchdale
- Summit Sportswear, Summit Hill
- Colonial Blouse, Pottsville
- Donaldson Manufacturing No. 1, Donaldson
- Donaldson Manufacturing No. 2, Cumbia
- Donaldson Manufacturing No. 3, Minersville
- Jane Ann Fashions, Coaldale
- Hem Lock Inc., Minersville
- D and M Corporation, Minersville
- McCormick Blouse Manufacturing Company, Girardville
- Meyer Weiss Blouse, Pottsville
- Gen Blouse Company, Reinerton
- Pridia Blouse, Reinerton
- Kay Fashions, Williamstown
- Jackson Sportswear, Primrose
- Miss Pennsylvania, Pottsville
- Morris Manufacturing, Tremont
- Jo Je Manufacturing Company, Summit Hill
- Patt Fashions, Summit Hill
The garment industry is the leading industry in Schuylkill County. A report from the State Bureau of Economics shows that employment in this industry over the past 10 years increased from 19,161 to 23, 776 and in the past decade 100 new manufacturing plants were opened bringing in $200 million to the economy of the county through payrolls. The number of plants increased from 237 to 337 in the past ten years. New jobs in the county in the past four years reached over 4,500.