Sunday, May 25, 2003
The school board and the county commissioners also back the development plan.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Neshannock Township supervisors gave permission for acquisition of additional township land to help attract industrial businesses.
They passed a resolution this week for an additional 200 acres to be placed in the Keystone Opportunities Expansion Zone.
The land is part of the Millennium Park development being supported by Gov. Edward Rendell in his effort to bring economic development to Pennsylvania.
Property under the KOEZ allows businesses to occupy the land tax-free until 2013.
"We have to do what is necessary to attract businesses, or Pennsylvania will not be able to compete with other states," said Gale Measel, supervisor chairman.
Pennsylvania is ranked 48th in the United States in economic development.
The township board of school directors and the Lawrence County commissioners also passed resolutions supporting the development plan.
Sewer upgrade
In related business, the supervisors approved a sewer agreement with the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation.
The township will contribute a total of $3 million dollars to upgrade sewer lines and connect to Millenium Park.
The township, the city of New Castle and the county are joining together to make the necessary sewer upgrades at the industrial park with matching state funds.
Supervisors also opened bids for renovations to the township municipal building. They forwarded them to the architect for review.
Measel said bids were close to what was budgeted. The total project is estimated between $2.4 million and $3 million.
The supervisors plan to issue a bond to cover $1.7 million for the sewer line extensions and the renovation project.