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For Immediate Release
July 21, 2005
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Sen. White, Rep. Rapp Announce Grant for Planned Brokenshaw Area Industrial Park

Funds would help develop former Pittsfield Elementary School site

Harrisburg – State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) and Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-65) today announced the approval of a $100,000 state grant to help turn the former Pittsfield Elementary School site into the Brokenshaw Area Industrial Park. 

The legislators said the "Business in Our Sites" grant is being awarded to the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry (WCCBI), which anticipates 250 jobs will be created when the industrial park is completed. 

"These 32 acres have sat vacant since 2001, and with the help of this grant the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry can transform it into a location for jobs and local tax revenue," said White. "While government can't create jobs, it can help establish the right setting for job creation to take place." 

The lawmakers said the grant will be used for environmental assessment and infrastructure engineering, as well for mapping the surrounding watershed. WCCBI is investing $40,000 in the project and intends to develop site to be marketed to light industrial/manufacturing and medical businesses. 

"It takes cooperation and coordination between the state and local levels to make projects such as this work, and this financial assistance is an example of the kind of partnerships than can lead to economic development and job creation," said Rapp. 

The Business in Our Sites grant was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, created by the legislature last year to fund up to $1 billion in economic development initiatives across Pennsylvania. 

CONTACT: Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684