State Re-designation of the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone

Harrisburg -- Representatives of the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation, along with State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50), Representative Mike Gruitza (D-7), Rep. Richard Stevenson (R-8), and Rep. Rod Wilt (R-17) announced that the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone has been re-designated as an Enterprise Zone by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

An Enterprise Zone is an area that has been designated by the Department as financially distressed and disadvantaged. Enterprise Zone designation improves the capacity of local governments and business communities by encouraging them to form public/private partnerships. In turn, these partnerships boost business investment within the zone. Increased business investment, job creation and sustained community self-sufficiency are the primary goals of the program.

The Shenango Valley's Enterprise Zone designation -- which lasted for a period of 15 years -- had expired on July 1, 2000. During those 15 years, there were measured successes. Since 2000, the local communities -- the cities of Farrell, Hermitage and Sharon and the boroughs of Greenville, Sharpsville and Wheatland -- jointly supported an effort to re-designate the Enterprise Zone to assist and further economic recovery and to increase employment opportunities within the Shenango Valley area. The communities unanimously supported the expansion of the zone to include the Hodge Foundry site in Hempfield Township, the LindenPointe Planned Technical Park in Hermitage and portions of West Middlesex Borough and Shenango Township. The Mercer County Regional Planning Commission and Penn-Northwest Development Corporation also assisted in the re-designation effort.

Sen. Robbins stated, "I am pleased that these communities came together and worked with the Department to have this area re-designated. It is my hope that we will continue to see results in the form of sustained growth and new jobs."

Ken Klothen, the Department's Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Development, stated, "The Commonwealth should act as a catalyst for economic development whenever feasible. Through initiatives like the Enterprise Zone Program, the Commonwealth can provide funds to areas that show great potential for economic development, while also encouraging stakeholders to get involved in planning long-term solutions that work at the local level"

Gary Gulla, President of the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation, stated, "In the 15 years of the Enterprise Zone, we were able to accomplish many goals and take advantage of some unique investment opportunities; however, there is still more that we can achieve as a region, and so we will continue our efforts and focus to reach for those achievements."

Larry Reichard, Executive Director of the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, stated, "Enterprise Zones are one of the best tools that we have to support the marketing of sites and facilities from the Greenville area south into Shenango Township."

The Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone targets ventures such as manufacturing, industrial, business-to-business services, including warehousing and distribution, and advanced technology.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322