Schuylkill gets grant for building at Highridge park

Schuylkill County’s economy took another step forward on Wednesday when county commissioners signed off on a resolution and agreement for a $1 million state grant to put up an industrial building in the Highridge Business Park, Cass Township.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant will help pay for the 120,000-square-foot building, said Frank Zukas, president of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation.

The project is estimated at $5 million.

The grant requires a municipal entity be the applicant, so the Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority will make the formal application on SEDCO’s behalf.

The resolution provides that the county will enter into a reimbursement agreement with both SCIDA and SEDCO.

The agreement means that if the state would find there was any disputed expenditure of funds, they would be reimbursed, with SEDCO reimbursing SCIDA, and SCIDA reimbursing the county, Zukas said.

“So we basically take the risk of any financial exposure by the county out of the equation,” he said.

The next step is to put the project out for bids, Lukas said.

“This is one of about nine buildings we’ve done over the last 30 years, all of which are occupied now, all of which are supporting jobs and property taxes,” Zukas said.

All three commissioners praised the teamwork among the county, SCIDA, SEDCO, Cass and Foster townships, and the Minersville Area School District.

The county’s business and industrial development has blossomed everywhere from Tamaqua, home of the Tidewood Industrial Park, to Hegins.

Highridge houses Lowe’s, Wegman’s, Walmart, Electrolux, Sara Lee and other industry and distribution centers.

Commissioner’ Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. thanked those on the state and federal levels who helped with Highridge.

“When you do these types of projects, you have to have cooperation from all levels of government,” he said.

“When you have people who know about the area and know what the needs are, and they are working together for that common cause, it means a lot,” he said.

Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier looked to the park’s groundbreaking.

“We cut the ribbon for the business park in the early to mid-1990s. There was 2,000 acres, and there wasn’t one building up there,” he said.

“I always said I never thought I’d see the day that we’d be looking for more land in Schuylkill County for business and industry,” Staudenmeier said.

Zukas said the park now has “well over $100 million” in capital construction.

Commissioner Gary J. Hess said the business park was initially met with skepticism.

“This was an investment in the future. Highridge is the blueprint for the success of Schuylkill County,” he said.

He said the corporations that have moved in have become active on community affairs, sitting on United Way and other boards.