The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC announced this week it is providing the financing to Scott & Richelle Trayer to purchase 105 acres of farmland in New Hopewell Township, Cumberland County. The Trayers are starting part-time farming operations on the property and preserving the land for agricultural use.

Dr. Trayer owns his own practice providing psychiatric patient care. His wife Richelle grew up on a working farm. Together, their desire is to help Richelle return to her roots and raise their children in an agricultural lifestyle has come to fruition. The purchase of this property will allow the family to achieve this dream.

The Trayers will begin part-time farming by raising beef cattle. Though the certification will take time, they have hopes to convert the herd into organic grass fed. They are also exploring raising sheep and goats, as well as producing honey, hay and soybeans.

Dr. Trayer stated, “I found the folks at CREDC to be very helpful. I felt that they were interested in all aspects of what we were hoping to accomplish when we bought the farm. They were with us through the entire process.”

HRC/CREDC provided a Small Business First loan of $200,000 through the First Industries program, in conjunction with Orrstown National Bank financing and other equity contributions.

The First Industries Fund is devoted to Pennsylvania’s Agriculture and Tourism industries. This program provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for projects relating to the promotion and development of agriculture and tourism within the Commonwealth. The program is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, is the economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, and is the leading organization for promoting and performing economic development activities in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. The group offers a variety of programs and resources to help attract, retain and expand business in the region.

For more information, visit the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC webpage.

7/13/2007