Real Estate Journal — Economic Development — January 25 - February 7, 2019 — 11C
www.marejournal.com
M id A tlantic
E conomic D evelopment
By Bette Slayton, BCDA Bedford County economy continues to grow and diversify
B
edford County PA is on the move. 2018 was a great year for this
its retail stores in downtown Bedford and Altoona as well as its growing online business with nationwide shipments to customers. Olde Bedford Brewing Company, Bedford County's first microbrewery, opened a new pub located within Fat Jimmy's Outfitters in Bed- ford. Dave and Mary Heller partnered with Jim and Perci Fungaroli to create a vibrant place for folks to refresh after a day of outdoor activities. The Startup Alleghenies regional program to support entrepreneurs was launched in Bedford County in 2018.
Andrew Trexler recently joined BCDA staff as Bedford County's Start-up Business Coach. In addition to person- alized coaching, the Start-up program offers TechCelera- tors (boot camps for entrepre- neurs), the BIG IDEA Busi- ness Plan Contest ($25,000 in prizes), support for business plan development, marketing, legal and financial advice. Young farmers made sig- nificant investments in their operations covering a broad range of species including ducks, hogs, poultry, beef and crops. Downtown Bedford, Inc.
continues its creative efforts offering a diverse array of very fun events to bring visi- tors to the Norman Rockwell- like town throughout the year. The 2,000-acre Omni Bed- ford Springs Resort and Spa attracted thousands of visi- tors with its beautiful, tran- quil luxury accommodations, spa, golf, trail and other rec- reational activities. Congressman Bill Shuster closed out his 18 years of service with the announce- ment of $2.5 million for a new hiking trail connecting downtown Bedford to Old
Bedford Village. Currently a trail connects the town with the Bedford Springs Resort. 2 0 1 8 c e l e b r a t e d t h e Walmart Distribution Cen- ter’s 20th year anniversary in Bedford. The 850,000 s/f facility employs 900 people. 2019 is predicted to be an equally exciting and year of growth. An 80-acre pad-ready, fully-permitted, Keystone Opportunity Zone designated site, adjacent to the REI Distribution Center, is posi- tioned to attract a major new employer. Bette Slayton is the pres- ident of BCDA.
central PA county with mu l t i -mi l - lion dollar expansions taking place a n d n e w c ompan i e s moving into the area.
Bette Slayton
The 2018 announcement that Green Leaf Medical was approved for a license to be a grower-processor of medical cannabis was tremendous news for Bedford County. In addition to introducing an ex- citing new business to the re- gion, Green Leaf will renovate and occupy the former Seton plant in Saxton. The 274,000 s/f building had been vacant for the past ten years. Green Leaf is making $13 million investment in the facility and will create over 100 new jobs. The company and community leaders have already formed a strong partnership. CaptiveAire announced an $11 million expansion at its Bedford County facility including doubling the size of its 84,000 s/f building. The nation's leader in commercial kitchen ventilation systems, based in North Carolina, opened its facility here in 2008. Bob Luddy, CaptiveAire CEO, credits the commitment and productivity of the work- force as a major reason for the company's investment. Creative Pultrusions con- tinues acquiring new com- panies with the acquisition of Composite Advantage in 2018. Additionally, CP built a 40,000 s/f facility to house Tower Tech, a cooling tower manufacturer which was purchased by CP in 2017. The company has purchased four companies since 2016. Lampire Biological Labora- tories acquired an additional 180 acres adjacent to its ex- isting farm facility, investing approximately $1 million. The farm will now encom- pass approximately 600 acres which will support Lampire's continued growth in Bedford County at both its “pharm” and bioprocessing facilities. Entrepreneurs Tammy Wi- ley and her sonAdam invested $1 million in Bedford Candies' new 10,000 s/f manufacturing and distribution facility in Osterburg. This will support
Vendela Bonner, Realtor PA and NJ PA Notary 7139-41 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19119 Cell: 267-9134 | Office: 215-501-7200 Email: vb@itsagreatproperty.com www.itsagreatproperty.com
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