LAWRENCE COUNTY Official: $15M for park is released

A semiconductor company is considering the park.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The $15 million promised by Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell earlier his year to help build the Millennium Park has been released.
Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, made the announcement Wednesday at the annual dinner of the Lawrence County Economic Development Agency and brought a large mock check.
"The $15 million is an example of the targeted investments that are necessary to move Pennsylvania forward -- not just in our large cities, but also in small and midsized municipalities to facilitate growth throughout the Commonwealth," he said.
The money, which requires a $15 million local match, will be released as work is done, Yablonsky said.
Money's source
It comes from the state's Capital Redevelopment Assistance Funds, the same pot of money that paid for the new Steelers and Pirates stadiums in Pittsburgh and street work in downtown New Castle.
Eligible expenses for the $15 million include site preparation, land acquisition and road improvements, he said.
The release of the money is all part of Gov. Ed Rendell's economic stimulus plan to prepare spots in Pennsylvania that are "shovel ready" for businesses to move in.
The proposed Millennium Park will be in 1,200 acres bounded by Pa. Route 60 and the Shenango River in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County. It includes 158 acres of tax-free Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones.
It has been identified as one of the sites being considered for a large semiconductor plant promising 3,000 jobs.
Yablonsky said the company is still evaluating sites and the Lawrence County site is the only one in Pennsylvania being considered.
"The location, access to water -- which his important to a semiconductor plant -- and the work force were all very positive," he said.
Conceptual look
A conceptual look at the high-technology business park also was offered by the LCEDA. A master site plan created by the group calls for King's Chapel Road, currently only two lanes, to become a four-lane divided highway from Pa. Route 60 to U.S. Route 422. New ramps off Pa. Route 60 also will be constructed.
The site has about 4 million gross square feet and the ability to populate about 4,000 people, said Roger Pearson, a consultant who helped develop the master plan.
Pearson noted that if the semiconductor plant does not choose Lawrence County, the site will be available for other uses including pharmaceuticals and large food manufacturing plants.
In addition to the semiconductor plant and its offices, there is room for other feeder businesses that will provide supplies to the plant, as well as an area for training workers.
Yablonsky said no date has been set when the semiconductor company will make its site decision.
cioffi@vindy.com