Stimulus spending boosts American Reading sales

American Reading Co. said it increased its sales by 35 percent to $17.3 million in the 10-month fiscal year that ended April 30.

Sales for the King of Prussia educational services company were $12.8 million in the same period the year before.

The gain in sales led American Reading to hire 22 workers, bringing total employment to about 90 employees, and company president Al Struzinski said it plans to continue hiring into 2011.

The company provides reading and training programs to schools in 41 states. It attributed the sales increase to its Action 100 teacher training system, which meets school funding requirements under the government's 2009 economic stimulus program.

"The federal stimulus program has injected new funds into the education market that are dedicated to improving teacher quality, and this is where we are seeing the most growth in our business," said Jane Hileman, founder and chief executive of the 12-year-old company.    - Paul Schweizer