‘Almost identical’ plan for Benner Commerce Park warehouse resubmitted to planning commission
Plans for the massive fulfillment center warehouse in the Benner Commerce Park have been resubmitted, which the president of one local chamber of commerce called a “game changer” for Centre County.
After plans for a 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center warehouse in Benner Township were submitted – and withdrawn – in April, an “almost identical” plan was resubmitted in July, Christopher Schnure, Centre County’s subdivision and land development planner, told the Centre Daily Times in an email.
The plans will be presented to the Centre County Planning Commission during its Aug. 16 meeting.
The plan that was previously presented during a Centre County Commissioners meeting in April showed the development of a 1,080,289-square-foot fulfillment center warehouse on 103 acres of land at the end of Penntech Drive in the Benner Commerce Park.
Greg Scott, president and CEO of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, said this is a project that the Benner Commerce Park was created for.
“This is the type of project we envisioned as a chamber, bringing to Centre County and helping the local economy,” Scott said. “We really feel like there’s some momentum going on right now in Centre County and all that excitement and energy, you know, it breeds success.”
With that success will come economic opportunity not only for people who live here but for people who are looking to move here, he said.
“I kind of look at this as really a game changer, it’s a perfect example of what we’re working on, which is transformative, smart growth in Centre County from an economic development perspective. It aligns with what we’re doing as a chamber, what local officials are doing, all of us that are working in the economic development sphere are … working toward that goal of creating an opportunity for making Centre County a great place to live, work and play.”
With the previous plans, it was estimated to bring nearly 700 jobs and be one of the largest private employers in Centre County. During an April commissioners meeting, the developer of the project declined to share who the end user of the warehouse would be, stating they were under nondisclosure agreements. By not disclosing such information, one Centre County commissioner raised concerns.
Though Scott didn’t know who the employer would be, he said based on research on these types of projects in other areas, they will be “quality jobs, good paying, good benefits.” That’s exactly what they want to be bringing into the county, he said.
The total impact to the economy will be greater than just this project, Scott said, as other business and economic development opportunities will feed off of this.
This story was originally published August 11, 2022 at 12:20 PM.
