Two Lebanon County businesses will share $4.25 million in redevelopment grants designed to help spur job growth and bolster the local economy.
The grants, which were awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, were announced Friday in separate press releases from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office and state Rep. John Schlegel, who represents the 101st Legislative District encompassing both businesses.
Recipients are:
- The Lebanon Valley Exposition Corp., $4 million for the construction of a new building on the grounds of the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center complex in North Cornwall Township. (Amount requested: $4 million.) The planned 40,000-square-foot arena will complement three existing buildings on the site at Cornwall and Rocherty roads and will add five jobs to the centerโs current six-person workforce.
- Whole Plants LLC, $250,000 to support construction of up to three retail dispensaries for Whole Plants Health in Lebanon County. (Amount requested: $5.2 million.) The producer of medical marijuana has a โgrower-processor facilityโ on North 8th Avenue, Lebanon, and operates Pennsylvania-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries statewide, including one in Annville. The expansion will add 15 jobs to the company’s current 20-employee local workforce.
โI advocated for these economic development projects, and I am gratified that the funding has been approved,โ Schlegel said in a statement. โThese are important projects in our district and will help strengthen our local economy.โ
Read More: Lebanon city, Expo Center, & businesses seek millions in development grants
According to the release from Shapiro’s office, the reimbursement grant program “supports essential design, acquisition, and construction projects across the Commonwealth. The program funds projects with regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, promoting economic growth, creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, and contributing to vibrant, resilient communities.”
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program began in 1986 and is administered by the Office of the Budget to provide funds for regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. Statewide, more than $590 million in grants were awarded through the program last week.
More information on the grant program is available online.
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