MARION TWP, Beaver County — J.J. Kennedy, a ready-mix concrete company based outside of Zelienople, recently bought two companies and was honored at an event hosted by the governor’s office.

In May, it bought a ready mix concrete and block plant in Clarks Mills, Mercer County.

The company is working on improvements to the plant and when it is finished it will produce its own ready-mix concrete to be used on job sites including road work, residential buildings and commercial buildings, said Maria Meyer, office manager.

The plant also will manufacture its own concrete blocks.

The plant will employ nine people and will serve Mercer, Lawrence and Venango counties starting later this year.

J.J. Kennedy also recently bought Frankenstein Builders Supply of Zelienople, adding five employees and four trucks.

On May 21, J.J. Kennedy was one of 50 companies from Pennsylvania recognized by Team Pennsylvania Foundation at the Governor’s Impact Awards.

The businesses honored at the event were recognized for creating jobs, developing ideas, expanding into new markets and making positive contributions in local communities.

Team Pennsylvania Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to bridge the gap between the state government and the private sector. Its board is cochaired by the governor and a private-sector CEO.

J.J. Kennedy was founded in 1905 and operates seven ready-mix concrete plants in Clarion, Clarks Mills, Indiana, Kittanning, Punxsutawney, Ridgway and Zelienople. All its plants produce materials that are state-approved for public bridges and roads.

The company has a fleet of 49 trucks and employs 82 people.