PHILIPSBURG — There’s a “good economic vibe” floating through the Philipsburg and Rush Township areas of Centre County. Lots happened in the Moshannon Valley in 2017, and according to a key economic leader in the area, there could be many more of those “good vibes” floating around in 2018.
“We’re really in a fantastic position,” said Stan LaFuria, executive director of the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership.
“Time and time again, we’ve been able to put the community in a position to attract and retain businesses and industries, as well as (staff) those companies with hard workers from right here. It takes a lot of partnership and a lot of cooperation and we’ve been fortunate to find that here.
“Yes, we are in a good position economically,” he continued. “But, there’s still areas we need to work on to continue to keep the good vibes moving. We have to continue to work on retaining our businesses and industries, finding suitable sites for companies that want to make Moshannon Valley their home and create jobs. Those are all priorities of 2018, as they are every year.”
The connections and partnerships the MVEDP are making must be working. LaFuria points to several key events that occurred economically in the Moshannon Valley in 2017 as proof.
DIAMONDBACK TRUCK COVERS
Ethan Wendle and Matt Chverchko met at Penn State in 2003, and thanks to an engineering entrepreneurial class, DiamondBack Truck Covers was born. The classroom project quickly grew from a garage operation to an American corporation, now employing several dozen workers in a company that ships high-quality truck accessories all around the world.
MVEDP has been with them the whole way.
“It’s truly a great story all the way from the beginning,” said LaFuria. “Here we have two young and eager Penn State guys with a great idea and an eagerness to succeed. They were working out of a garage when they came to us looking for more building space. We got them into one of our sites and their business blossomed.”
After a few expansions within the Moshannon Valley Enterprise Center, DiamondBack Truck Covers grew too large and, in 2017, completed construction on a brand new, state-of-the art facility in the Moshannon Valley Regional Business Park.
“And now, they are doing better than ever,” said LaFuria.
FORMER PHILIPSBURG HOSPITAL SITE
The Philipsburg area lost several jobs when the Philipsburg Hospital closed for good in 1994. A failed attempt to open the facility by a grassroots organization was the only life the property has seen since then, and despite those short, two years, the property had sat in neglect.
In 2014, the state ordered for the demolition of the buildings on the site and scheduled the property for sale. The only entity showing any real interest was MVEDP, and in March of 2017, the group closed on a deal to purchase the 15-acre site for $150,000.
“The board wanted this property,” said LaFuria. “They wanted it really badly, and for good reason. It’s perfect for almost anything you want to do with it. And, all the infrastructure is already there. It’s ready to go.”
LaFuria said now that MVEDP owns the property, it is a goal in 2018 to find a tenant, or owner, to occupy that space.
“These things take some time, but we’ll find someone that can bring something good to our community, and occupy that space there,” said LaFuria. “There’s plenty of good things about it that could attract and manufacturer or a distributor of some sorts. The lot could be sub-divided too. There’s lots of possibilities.”
LaFuria said there has been interest in the site from a local company and an outside-the-area company, and assured the Partnership will continue to work with these entities in hopes of working out a deal.
ENTERPRISE CENTER
A key to the success of the Moshannon Valley economy, and another top priority of MVEDP, is job retention.
In 2017, the partnership was able to renew two leases within the Enterprise Center with businesses that employ the most number of people. Drucker Company and American Home Patient/Lincare each re-signed multi-year leases to continue operating in the facility. More than 200 people are employed by these businesses alone.
“These are the kinds of partnerships we want to have,” said LaFuria. “Both these companies have been with us quite awhile and they’ve been good for the community.”
Also in 2017, two small technology-based businesses, PolyK Technologies and EC Power, expanded in the center; TMMData relocated to the facility from its Second Street, Philipsburg, location; and the center attracted Konescranes, which moved from State College to sign a long-term lease agreement with MVEDP.
HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM
MVEDP does a lot with economic development in the Moshannon Valley, but it also shows care for the people living in the area’s neighborhoods.
Since 1997, the partnership has administered eight state grants totaling $2.9 million that helped more than 170 families bring their homes up to code.
In 2017, the MVEDP completed its 8th and final rehabilitation project. Fourteen families participated in the program, which was supported by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
“This program has helped keep families warm for 20 years,” said LaFuria. “There’s still plenty of homes in the area that could use this kind of assistance. If a community comes to us, and wants help, I’ll do whatever I can to see what kind of funding is available for these kinds of programs. It has really worked great for us.”
KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE EXTENSION
A partnership between Rush Township, Centre County and the Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District allowed MVEDP to extend its Keystone Opportunity Zone status in 2017. Set to expire on Dec. 31, 2017, the groups came together to agree to not collect specific local taxes from any businesses that decides to occupy space in the Moshannon Valley Regional Business Park.
The extension is for seven years and will expire Dec. 31, 2024.
An agreement to purchase a KOZ-eligible lot in the business park was signed by Organic Climbing/Ridge and Valley Holdings, LLC, in 2017. The company plans to build a new manufacturing facility on the site. A Pennsylvania Industrial Development loan will help fund the $1.6 million project.
Speaking of PIDA loans, MVEDP secured a record four PIDA loans in 2017 for local companies, including Organic Climbing; Genna Ice, for the purchase of the former Moshannon Valley Super Bowl site; MVEDP, for the purchase of the former hospital property; and Cutting Edge Machining Solutions, for the purchase of a new machine.
Currently, just four spots in the business park remain open, and according to LaFuria, that number could be reduced to three as this is being read.
“We’re hoping to close on a property tomorrow (Jan. 24),” said LaFuria. “I don’t want to say anything more about it until it’s final.”
LaFuria said despite the success of attracting business and industry to the KOZ site, he noted that all the space will eventually be occupied.
“We need to find suitable, developable land to continue to be recognized as warranted to the community,” said LaFuria. “I’m confident our track record shows we’re accomplishing what we’ve set out to do. Now, it’s about continuing to do those things and bring more jobs into the community.”
LOTS MORE
There were plenty of other accomplishments for MVEDP in 2017.
The Partnership once again continued its support of the PRC/Downtown Revitalization Program. The group provided the group with a cash allocation of $36,000 to support downtown redevelopment efforts, such as the Wing Ding Fling and Wine Walk, which LaFuria said are important “to efforts to build community pride.”
In an effort to better market its properties, MVEDP hired the services of Joe Herrle of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Real Estate. It also hired Seven Mountains Media to create a new marketing video, which will showcase projects happening in the area.
The partnership also approved two loans to Moshannon Valley Emergency Medical Services for the purchase of two new ambulances, and, once again, earned the distinction of being one of only 52 certified economic development organizations in 2017.
2018 AND BEYOND
Yearly, the board of directors of MVEDP sit down and discuss a priority list for the coming year. The list rarely changes.
“We’re always looking at job retention, job creation and how to attract business and industry to the area,” said LaFuria. “This year, we’re also prioritizing Philipsburg Area Commerce Park. We want to get someone on that property. We’ve been marketing awhile now, but now we’re going to step up that effort and find someone to occupy that spot.”
The board wants to identify sites in the area that could be developed into business park land and sites that could be developed into modern workforce housing.
To retain business, the partnership will continue to partner with SEDA-COG, Ben Franklin and the Small Business Development Center and other resource providers to assist area companies.
“These partnerships are important, and they’ve done wonders for the economy we’re living and working in,” said LaFuria.
In addition, LaFuria said MVEDP wants to continue to work with the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation with downtown development efforts, secure and close a handful of outstanding loan agreements, and renew leases with local companies at MVEDP properties.
“There’s lots to look forward to economically in 2018,” said LaFuria. “We have a dedicated board, and a lot of local assets and partners. The outlook is definitely positive.”
