Lennox International Inc. plans to lease a 130,000-square-foot facility in Middletown, Pa.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is cheering the opening of Lennox’s new distribution center.

Lennox International Inc. plans to lease a 130,000-square-foot facility in Middletown, Pa., to support its northeastern U.S. operations.

The $1.3 million project will save 20 jobs and create at least 30 more in the next three years, the governor said.

"When one of the world's premier HVAC firms chooses Pennsylvania over other locations, it proves once again that our strategic investments help to attract even greater levels of private investment and create jobs,” Rendell said. "The work force of south-central Pennsylvania will benefit from this facility's new jobs and the potential for future growth."

Lennox chose the spot in part due to incentives offered through the state, including a $75,000 grant, $13,950 in job training assistance, and $93,000 in job creation tax credits.  

"We're excited to continue the expansion of our North American distribution network by leasing the facility in Middletown," said Gary Bedard, vice president and general manager, of Lennox’s residential heating and cooling division.  "The Middletown facility is important to our future planning as we continue to focus on doubling our North American distribution by 2012, allowing us to significantly increase our same day and next-day service levels."