READING, PA. — Unique Pretzel Bakery, a maker of pretzels for distribution along the East coast, has been approved for $8.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The loan package, which was arranged through Customers Bank, will be used to build a 37,500-square-foot warehouse and new 36,000-square-foot manufacturing plant featuring new baking ovens and processing equipment. The expansion will support approximately 24 new jobs, the company said.

Unique Pretzel said the expansion will take place at a 4.6-acre site on the north side of the company’s existing facility near the intersection of East Bellevue Avenue and Plaza Drive in Muhlenberg Township. Dolan Construction Inc., of Reading, is the contractor for the project.

“We are very excited by the opportunity that this project represents,” said Bill Spannuth, chief financial officer for Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc. “Not only in terms of the increased production capacity that the new facility will provide, but also in the range of new job opportunities that it brings — both in permanent jobs at the new plant as well as a host of other employment opportunities relating to the overall construction project and subsequent business support needs.”