Published Friday, November 22, 2002
brings
funds
for SVIDC
for revitalization
Gov. Mark Schweiker came to Sharon Thursday afternoon bearing $500,000 to further develop Legacy Commons along the Broadway corridor in Sharon, Farrell and Wheatland.
"This funding will help revitalize the community and attract developers who are looking for potential sites for new businesses in Mercer County,'' Schweiker said during a news conference in the Sharon city building. "With each new business comes increased economic vitality and a brighter future for families living here.''
Since 1998, the nonprofit Shenango Valley Industrial Development Corp. has been developing two industrial parks, named Legacy Commons.
John Holliday, president of SVIDC, thanked Schweiker for his commitment. "Many of us would tire from the efforts he puts forth," Holliday said.
With this latest check, SVIDC has received $3.25 million from the state for the industrial parks.
Holliday also credited Larry Reichard, executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp., for helping to develop the parks. Penn-Northwest is Mercer County's lead development agency.
"Just like Mikey in the cereal commercial, we presented it (to Penn-Northwest) and they liked it. Now what do we do?" Holliday said, referring to the time when he and Reichard proposed the idea.
"Our final target is to work as one," Holliday said.
Funds will be used to ready the combined 83-acre industrial parks for development. Planners hope to create 335 jobs and retain another 135. Total cost of the project was pegged at more than $1 million.
SVIDC will use the grant to improve the sites' landscaping and signage at the north and south entrances to the Broadway corridor, to add curbs, storm sewers and fencing and to excavate the area.
"This project will vastly improve the appearance of the industrial corridor and make it more accessible for its tenants and their customers,'' said John Fair, SVIDC board chairman.
Legacy Commons is divided into Broadway South and Broadway North. Precision Steel Services, Kalco Metals and Legacy Products have settled in Broadway South.
Final environmental testing is under way at Broadway North and it's expected that land will be ready for tenants by spring.
The Henry Evans Industrial Park, named after the late president of the former Sharon Steel Corp., is also along the corridor. Sharon Tube Co. and AIM Lease occupy 21 acres there.
Funds for the grant came from the state's Capital Budget program, better known as the stadium funds because most of the money is earmarked for stadiums in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.