Grants to Develop Businesses, Create Jobs

HARRISBURG - Three counties in Central Pennsylvania received grants from the state to help business development.

 The Bedford County Development Association will receive a $175,000 planning grant for predevelopment activities at the Bedford County Business Parks I & II in Bedford Township. Redevelopment of the unoccupied parks, which are part of a Keystone Opportunity Zone, could serve the growing information technology, biomedical research, and advanced manufacturing clusters. The Bedford County Development Association anticipates 400-600 new jobs will be created. Total project cost is $182,500. 

 Huntingdon County Business and Industry Inc. will receive a $39,000 grant to create a master plan for the remaining undeveloped acres in Riverview Business Center, Shirley Township.  The funds will be used to complete a geotechnical assessment, subdivision planning, final land development planning and administrative costs for the 150-acre site.  The Huntingdon County Business and Industry expects the proposed development of its remaining acres will create 300 additional jobs over the next five years. The total project cost is $54,050.

 The Jefferson County Development Council will receive a $30,000 planning grant to perform a preliminary site analysis for the development of a business park in the northwest quadrant of Exit 81, off Interstate 80, in Pine Creek Township.  The 140-acre brownfield is designated as a potential growth area in Jefferson County's comprehensive plan. The site's current owner, Nine Star Capital LP, is interested in working to create a new enterprise park that would focus on energy-related businesses (natural gas, wind, solar, etc.) involving manufacturing and related services.  The total project cost is $35,000.

Governor Ed Rendell announced the investments  on Friday that total $6.7 million across the entire state of Pennsylvania.  He said the money could create 10,000 jobs.