$2 Million Grant for Business Park
The Jefferson County Development Council has been awarded a $2 million state grant to oversee the construction of infrastructure needed for the development of a new business park in Jefferson County, according to State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) and State Representative Sam Smith (R-66), who helped obtain funding for the economic development project.
The funding is being made available through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is intended to assist in the immediate creation of quality, family-sustaining jobs.
The project involves redeveloping a former strip-mined property located at Exit 81 of Interstate 80 into a 147-acre business park, focusing on energy-related projects; including Marcellus Shale-related businesses, light manufacturing and warehouse and distribution companies.
“Due to the huge growth in the Marcellus Shale industry and the need for industrial sites in this region, this proposed industrial business park will be an essential component of economic development in this rural area,” Scarnati said. “We also want to attract energy companies that focus on solar and wind power, since they are fast-growing industries with a great deal of growth potential. These companies will need workers, and that means jobs for area residents.”
Scarnati added that Jefferson County is seeing an upswing in job growth as a result of the Marcellus Shale industry, but it needs to invest in infrastructure to support companies and give them the tools they need to move to the area and grow.
“We have a great deal to offer companies that want to locate here, and the most important thing we can do is provide the incentives to bring their businesses to our area, so that local residents can take advantage of the jobs and economic development opportunities,” Scarnati said. “I’m particularly pleased that this business park will work to attract companies that promote clean energy alternatives, such as wind and solar, which are huge growth industries right now.”
Representative Smith noted that the creation of this business park is a clear illustration of the opportunities that drilling is presenting for the local economy.
“I have been stressing the potential the Marcellus Shale industry has to spur the development of new and existing industries throughout the state,” he said, “and now we are seeing proof of this right here in Jefferson County. A solid infrastructure is an essential component to attracting tenants to the park. Our work in securing this funding is not something that happened overnight. I am pleased that it has finally come to fruition."
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program requires applicants to demonstrate they have secured non-state project funding as well.
The funding is being made available through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is intended to assist in the immediate creation of quality, family-sustaining jobs.
The project involves redeveloping a former strip-mined property located at Exit 81 of Interstate 80 into a 147-acre business park, focusing on energy-related projects; including Marcellus Shale-related businesses, light manufacturing and warehouse and distribution companies.
“Due to the huge growth in the Marcellus Shale industry and the need for industrial sites in this region, this proposed industrial business park will be an essential component of economic development in this rural area,” Scarnati said. “We also want to attract energy companies that focus on solar and wind power, since they are fast-growing industries with a great deal of growth potential. These companies will need workers, and that means jobs for area residents.”
Scarnati added that Jefferson County is seeing an upswing in job growth as a result of the Marcellus Shale industry, but it needs to invest in infrastructure to support companies and give them the tools they need to move to the area and grow.
“We have a great deal to offer companies that want to locate here, and the most important thing we can do is provide the incentives to bring their businesses to our area, so that local residents can take advantage of the jobs and economic development opportunities,” Scarnati said. “I’m particularly pleased that this business park will work to attract companies that promote clean energy alternatives, such as wind and solar, which are huge growth industries right now.”
Representative Smith noted that the creation of this business park is a clear illustration of the opportunities that drilling is presenting for the local economy.
“I have been stressing the potential the Marcellus Shale industry has to spur the development of new and existing industries throughout the state,” he said, “and now we are seeing proof of this right here in Jefferson County. A solid infrastructure is an essential component to attracting tenants to the park. Our work in securing this funding is not something that happened overnight. I am pleased that it has finally come to fruition."
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program requires applicants to demonstrate they have secured non-state project funding as well.
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