CBICC announces future land development that aims to create ‘hundreds’ of Centre County jobs
From the waterfront development project to Axemann Brewery, Bellefonte has been home to a series of developments, but officials claim a recent transaction will create “hundreds of jobs” and support the local economy.
About 15 acres of land next to Bellefonte Lanes along the Benner Pike will be converted from an untaxed, state-owned property into a “job-creating parcel,” CEO and President of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County Vern Squier announced Thursday in a release.
“This land transaction is the catalyst for years of economic activity, hundreds of jobs and a positive impact in the lives of local Centre County residents,” Squier said. “The CCIDC (Centre County Industrial Development Corporation) and CBICC proudly continues to pursue its mission of improving the local economy on behalf of Centre County.”
The land was formerly owned by Rockview State Correctional Institution, and the transaction “came to fruition” with help from Gov. Tom Wolf, Centre County government, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, and the state Department of General Services, Squier said.
Squier said no tax breaks were utilized for the transaction and that the project will “represent an increase of funds over time into the COVID-19 impacted coffers of Benner Township, Bellefonte Area School District and Centre County government.”
Land of Paradise LLC — a Pennsylvania-based entity — will spearhead development, Tom Richey, a partner, said. The anchor tenant will be announced in 2021, and outparcels will be filled once the zoning process for commercial use is finished.
“This project illustrates how teamwork can lead to economic gain,” Corman said in a statement. “The Benner Pike fair-market value land transaction brought many parties to the table, including DGS, local jurisdictions and organizations and private enterprise. The result of this collaboration is prosperity for our area.”
