Business Park Study Receives $168k State Grant

Funding to determine feasibility of development of 218-acre site

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved a $168,000 grant that will allow for a feasibility study to be conducted on the potential of developing a gravel mine near Interstate 80 in Mercer County as a business park, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

The Business in Our Sites grant to Penn-Northwest Development Corporation will go toward the study and a master plan for the development of a 218-acre, county-owned site near Exit 15 off I-80 in East Lackawannock Township.

"This grant is a major boost for our region since this location was designated as the top site for future business and industrial development in an assessment prepared for the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission," Senator Robbins said. "With its convenient access to I-80, it makes good sense to determine if the location can be developed as a business park, which in turn would bring additional jobs to the county."

The site has been an active gravel mine since April 1979. Current leases for mining operations expire in 2014 and the Mercer County Board of Commissioners intend to reclaim the property and redevelop it as a site for business, industrial, warehouse, distribution, and/or travel-related development.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322