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Iridium Expanding Plant In Pennsylvania

Plastic container manufacturer says it will use a $3.1 million loan to expand and buy equipment for its plant in East Stroudsburg.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Iridium Industries says it will use a $3.1 million Monroe County Industrial Development Authority loan to expand and buy equipment for its plastic container manufacturing plant in eastern Pennsylvania.

County commissioners approved the tax-free bonds 3-0 Wednesday. Officials say they will monitor the East Stroudsburg plant, where 81 undocumented foreign workers were arrested in a raid last year.

Federal authorities prosecuted operators of a temporary employment agency that placed the workers at the plant but did not charge Iridium officials. Iridium says it no longer uses a temporary employment agency, and requires documents verifying employees are entitled to work in the United States.

A recent spot inspection turned up no irregularities. Officials say 75 percent of the 230-person work force now are Monroe County residents.

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