Robbins, Sainato Announce State Funding For Millennium Technology Park

HARRISBURG -- Senator Rob Robbins (R-50) and Representative Chris Sainato (D-9) announced today that the Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved $7.5 million in funding for the Millennium Technology Park planned for Neshannock Township in Lawrence County.

Expected to be completed by December 2007, the high-technology industrial park is expected to attract 4,180 new jobs and attract approximately $48.6 million in private investment, the legislators said.

The Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) will receive a $3.75 million grant and a $3.75 million loan through the state's Business in Our Sites program to develop the 380-acre site, which is located in a Keystone Opportunity Zone. The site will likely be divided into eight parcels, ranging in size from 20 acres to 148 acres, and could accommodate a very large manufacturing facility, three medium-sized plants and four smaller businesses.

LCEDC will market the park to advanced manufacturing industries with areas designated for smaller support businesses such as research and development activity and business offices. Advanced manufacturing enterprises that would be considered include alternative fuel manufacturers, semi-conductor manufacturers, bio-technology forms, pharmaceuticals, and food manufacturers.

"Millennium Technology Park is going to be a great economic development project for our region," said Sen. Robbins. "In addition to the businesses it will attract and the new jobs it will create, the park will bring in additional business to support these companies, and will therefore create even more jobs and opportunities."

"This is excellent news for the area," Rep. Sainato said. "We've seen an economic decline over the years, but the Millennium Technology Park is going to help us reverse that trend."

The total project cost is approximately $23.5 million.

CONTACT: Michael Hengst, (717) 787-1322