National photo print company brings headquarters, 125 jobs to central Pennsylvania

Nations Photo Lab, a full-service photography printing lab, is bringing its headquarters and 125 new jobs to York County, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday.

The business is an affiliate of Gallery Blocks LLC, which does business as Artsy Couture. It is moving from Cockeysville, Maryland to a 73,850-square-foot building in Springettsbury Township.

"In this digital era, memories can be captured using many different devices, but they can only be eternally preserved in print," Wolf said. "Pennsylvania is happy to welcome Artsy Couture to the commonwealth and is proud to support them as they create jobs, capture life's moments and provide a critical service to local photographers."

According to the company's website, it provides a number of services that turn uploaded photos into a variety of items including wall hangings, photo displays, books, cards, key rings, ornaments.

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The company has committed to investing $5.6 million into the move to York County, which includes purchasing the building, renovations, new equipment, furniture and job training costs.

"Our new, larger manufacturing space in York County will allow us to bring our teams together to increase efficiency, encourage collaboration and support the future growth of our business," Artsy Couture president Harvis Kramer said. "This site will offer great flexibility in our future growth across the U.S."

Nations Photo Lab received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project, according to Wolf's announcement. The proposal includes a $50,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $125,000 in job creation tax credits to be distributed upon creating new jobs, and a $52,800 workforce training grant.

The company was also encouraged by DCED to apply for a $2 million loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler said the announcement is good news for York County.

"We are all regrouping following 2020, but this is evidence the economy of York County is resilient and headed in the right direction," Wheeler said. "People are taking second looks at York County, and I'm proud of our community and all that we are doing to help our existing businesses and attract new ones.

"On behalf of York County government, we welcome Nations Photo Labs to our county and look forward to a long and prosperous working relationship for the benefit of the company and our community."

Shelly Stallsmith is a trends reporter for the York Daily Record. She can be reached at mstallsmith@ydr.com or followed on Twitter at @ShelStallsmith.