The Commonwealth Financing Agency this week gave its approval to 10 construction grants and loans totaling over $56 million to develop sites under the Business in Our Sites Program. Four of those projects involve the cleanup and redevelopment of environmentally challenged sites.

Chester County: The Coatesville Redevelopment Authority will receive up to $4.5 million in grants and loans to develop a 46-acre site at the intersection of Routes 82 and 30 in Coatesville. The Oliver Tyrone Pulver Corporation plans to develop a 125-room full-service hotel with a restaurant and office space. BOS funds will be used for site preparation, environmental cleanup and infrastructure improvements. The $35 million project is expected to create 330 jobs.

Clarion County: The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation will receive $800,000 in grants and loans to assist in the development of the Beaver Township Industrial Park. The site, a former strip mine, will contain five lots ranging from eight to 24 acres that will be marketed for light industrial and manufacturing companies. The project will create 250 jobs. The site is located in a designated Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Luzerne County: The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce will receive $10 million in grants and loans for development of Phase 1 of the CenterPoint Commerce and Trade Park East in Jenkins Township. BOS funds will be used for site preparation, construction of a new access road, curbing, sidewalks, storm sewers and demolition. Mericle Development of Wilkes-Barre has committed to constructing two buildings within the first year of the project. Located near the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre International Airport, the site consists of 377 acres of abandoned mine space adjacent to Armstrong Road and Route 315. Phase 1 consists of the development of 244 acres of industrial and commercial space. The project is expected to create 2,422 jobs.

Luzerne County: The Earth Conservancy will receive $2.47 million in grant and loan funds to assist in the redevelopment of Huber III, an 82-acre site in Hanover Township, located off Exit 1 on Route 29. The project will create a 50-acre pad-ready site that will be marketed for industrial and commercial use. BOS funds will be used for excavation, erosion and sedimentation control and installation of storm water drainage facilities. The project is expected to create 250 jobs. The site is in a designated Keystone Opportunity Zone.

For more information, visit the Site Revitalization webpage of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

5/27/2005