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Carbon County Service and Manufacturing Jobs Get $1 Million Boost from Commerce Department Investment

June 16, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Carbon County Board of Commissioners of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania to provide the critical infrastructure needed to establish the Packerton Yards Business Park. The project is expected to create up to 350 jobs and generate as much as $12.4 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"A strong manufacturing sector is critical to our nation's economic competitiveness," Secretary Locke said. "This EDA grant will establish a business park that will cater to service and manufacturing businesses. This will speed up innovation and encourage entrepreneurship to make the region more competitive."

"Today marks a great achievement for Carbon County, as well as for Commissioners Bill O'Gurek and Charlie Getz who have tirelessly worked on this initiative," said Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11). "This is a project that I have worked closely on with the commissioners for many years, and without action, this land would have never been touched again. The $1 million grant will help reclaim this land, which is ideally located between Jim Thorpe and Lehighton, and put it to beneficial use. As a result, this funding will create hundreds of jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania and help enable local businesses to grow and develop."

This investment will help the county construct a new roadway and install utility infrastructure. The Packerton Yard Business Park will be located on a former brownfield site, and will include six lots that will be marketed to small and mid-scale companies.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.