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If you belong to an organization or work for a company that is interested in linking its Web site to the new PCEDC site, please call Sharon Charles, Chief Clerk at 582-2131, extension 4100. The corporation is interested in learning about help for new businesses that it can highlight on its site, and in turn, market to the world. Help us show the global economy the benefits of locating its business in Perry County!
Notable News
Fall 2004 - Work on the infrastructure is proceeding. Business Campus Way comes into view as you enter Mutzabaugh's parking lot. The roadways throughout the campus are taking shape. Utilities are being installed. Storm drainage piping and structures are in place.
Many people have devoted their extensive efforts to bring this project to where it is today. We wish to extend our thanks to the people of CREDC who have helped us secure loans and grants to move this far in the development process. An undertaking of this magnitude takes an unimaginable amount of time, planning and finances. The help we have recieved on behalf of Perry County shows the commitment of CREDC and government officials to our residents.
EDA grant June 2003 Perry County Economic Development Corporation, received an Economic Development grant in the amount of $1.289 million. The grant will help fund an access road, storm water systems, and sewer and water service. These key elements of the infrastructure will put the business park on line for sale to approved businesses in the 55 acre park.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has approved funding for improvements to route 274 in Duncannon. The $475,000 budget will allow construction of turning lanes leading into the campus.
Advisors are working with a number of prospects currently interested in locating in Business Campus One. Favorable interest rates and incentives are being offered to initial inquirers. Additionally, several businesses have expressed an interest in leasing space from the corporation. A multi tenant facility is being considered that will offer varying square footage locations for lease to approved companies.
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May 8, 2002 Govenor Mark Schweiker visited Perry County's Business Campus One and presented PDEDC with a check for $1.5 million in capital budget redevelopment assistance that will fund the construction of an access road, water and sewer lines, and other construction costs. Perry County is grateful to be the receipant of this grant. The corporation, CREDC, and the commissioners have worked hard to lobby for this recognition and assistance from the state. Govenor Schweiker's visit and the grant have shown us the state's commitment to our county and we extend a hearty thank you!
Enterprise Zone - Duncannon, Marysville, Newport, and Penn Township (where BCO is located) are among the municipalities in the county that have been designated as enterprise zones. This qualifies the area for grants and further funding to increase their appeal to businesses. Grants could be used for small-scale business development projects, as well as, administrative costs. Enterprise zone status also qualifies businesses for tax credits. Loans are available of up to $250,000 per project to fund aquisition of machinery and equipment, and new building construction or building improvements.
- The PCEDC was awarded a $125,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the continuing work on the Perry County Business Campus One development site. State Rep. Allan Egolf and state Sen. Hal Mowery, who both represent Perry County, presented the check during the April 1999 ceremony unveiling the site on Arsenal Hill Road in Duncannon.
The Commissioners
Perry County commissioners look to economic development
In the quiet country roads and calm rural communities of Perry County, the time has come for action. An undercurrent of excitement is building among business owners, farmers, school teachers, community leaders, and residential property owners. While the activity is not a call for an uprising of historic proportions, it could be considered a revolution of sorts, the likes of which have never really been seen in this close-knit county. What’s all the fuss about? A wave of economic development has been building, and it’s headed straight for Perry County.
Some of the visionaries of this good fortune are Perry County Commissioners John Amsler, Ed Kennedy, and Mark Keller. Several years ago they and some other members of the community saw it was time for action concerning the state of economic development in the county. With business development at a standstill, they knew something had to be done.
"We are firm believers in acting instead of reacting," they say. "Because when you react, it’s too late, and that’s what happened up until now."
Having relied on outside interests to represent Perry County in regional economic development matters, the area was standing still in job creation while counties around it surged forward. So out of the stagnant Perry County Industrial Authority, which operated as an arm of the commissioners, the Perry County Economic Development Corporation was born - an independent organization charged with jump-starting the county’s economy. The commissioners feel Perry County should drive its own train. Perry County should be in charge of where Perry County is going.
If Perry County is driving its own train, you might call the commissioners the chief engineers. Mark Keller is a member of the corporation and serves as the liaison between the group and the commissioners’ office. He looks at rising residential development, the lack of livable wage-earning jobs in the county, and the 70 percent of his constituents who leave every morning for Carlisle and Harrisburg jobs and sees a need for more business development.
"People in Perry County are tired of spending two hours a day on the road," he says, adding that whenever a job is advertised in the county, qualified applicants far outweigh the number of open positions. "We had 56 applications for a position as secretary to the commissioners," Keller says. "People were even willing to take a pay cut if they could have a job close to home and family."
The corporation is looking for businesses to locate within the county, which would alleviate some of the tax burden on the rapidly blossoming residential population resulting from people moving to Perry County from more congested surrounding areas.
All of those people have to work somewhere, but without a steady supply of jobs close to home, they have been forced to look elsewhere for their paychecks. Hence, the 70 percent out-migration of the population every morning.
But don’t think the commissioners and the rest of the corporation will take any business they can get. Part of driving your own the train is making sure it stays on track, and part of the corporation’s job is making sure Perry County doesn’t lose its pristine nature in the name of jobs.
The commissioners say that - in no way - would they want to bring in any business that would adversely affect the land. There is a consensus among members of the corporation that development must happen in the appropriate places. Their goal is to direct the growth so it doesn’t sprawl all over the place. Folks in Perry County realize that since the state Department of Transportation has finished the Routes 22/322 and 11/15 improvement projects, businesses will begin to pop up in the area, and the corporation wants to make sure they go in areas that can sustain them well into this new century.
And with people like our commissioners on board, it seems there is no way the corporation could do anything but complete its mission. "I think everybody’s on the same page," they say. "Growth is inevitable. We’d just like that growth to be controlled and balanced between residential and business establishments."
Be looking for this train to make its destination.
The Site
There are several interested businesses currently in negotiations with the corporation’s representatives, and the PCEDC has put together a marketing brochure to help attract potential tenants.
PCEDC works closely with the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation.The Perry County commissioners look forward to the working arrangement established between the two and calls their relationship "excellent." They applaud CREDC’s diligence in working with Perry County.
David Black, CREDC’s president, says he hopes the relationship spawns increased prospects for Business Campus One. "Ultimately we would like to attract a company that will create jobs and the community will support," he says. "CREDC would be working for Perry County anyway, and this is just another way to help the Perry County community."
With the largest economic development organization adding wind to the PCEDC’s sails, good things are sure to follow for Business Campus One.
Business Campus One at a glance
Location: Route 274, west of Duncannon. The site is located just off Routes 11 and 15.
Size: 60 acres
Zoned: Commercial
Utilities: Already established sewer and water.
Proximity to Transportation: Truck transport 30 minutes to railroad and air shipping sites.
Landscape: Flat agricultural fields surrounded by existing commercial property, residential cluster development, and
forested hills.
Archeological limitations: None
Architectural limitations: None
