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Governor Rendell's Economic Development Investments Delivering Job Growth, Building Stronger Economy

Posted on: Monday, 28 August 2006, 15:00 CDT

YORK, Pa., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky helped cut the ribbon today for the new 40,000-square-foot Greenway Tech Centre in York.

Yablonsky said Governor Edward G. Rendell's strategic investments are revitalizing Pennsylvania's communities and spurring economic growth throughout the state.

"The state's support for key projects like the Greenway Tech Centre is generating positive results in York County," Yablonsky said. "Because of this investment, more people will be able to go to work and support their families. Their quality of life will improve as a result."

Located in the former Dallmeyer Building, the tech centre is equipped with fiber-optic cable and wireless Internet capabilities, and is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design as a Green Building. The Dallmeyer Building is a former cigar factory, which was historically renovated into commercial office space by the Crispus Attucks Association in York.

The centre is designed to bring more than 200 new jobs into the southeast neighborhood of the city and will create economic opportunities for the diverse community surrounding it. The $10.1 million project was the third and final component in the 10-year Boundary Avenue Project that revitalized the Southern Gateway into York, bringing more than $22 million of private investment into the community.

Yablonsky said there are 13,400 more people working in York County today than when Governor Rendell took office. Statewide, Pennsylvania's job count rose in July to a new record high of 5,757,900 jobs - bringing to 132,600 the net gain in new jobs since January 2003.

"Over the last three and a half years, we've worked hard everyday to create a more attractive business environment by cutting taxes and investing in our companies, communities and people," Yablonsky said. "The Greenway Tech Centre is an excellent example of how this approach can work. In 2004, Governor Rendell provided $5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding for this project, and only two years later, we are here to celebrate its official opening."

Governor Rendell has invested $859 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, or RACP, grants to 287 projects statewide, including four projects in York County totaling more than $19.5 million.

RACP, a vital part of the Governor's economic stimulus package, is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and historical improvement projects.

The Crispus Attucks Association has been providing services to the Southeast Neighborhood of York for more than 70 years. Beginning with day care and recreation services for the African-American community, the Association has expanded their offerings as the social climate has changed creating new and varied demands on their resources. The association now provides educational services through its early learning center, YouthBuild Charter School, technology center, CATS Wireless Network and the Crispus Attucks Center for Employment and Training. The housing department offers 142 low-income housing units in the neighborhood.

For more information on Governor Rendell's Economic Stimulus Package and DCED's other programs, visit http://www.newpa.com/, or call 1-866-GO-NEWPA (1- 866-466-3972). To learn more about the Crispus Attucks Association, visit http://www.crispusattucks.org/ or about the Greenway Tech Centre, visit http://www.greenwaytech.net/.

CONTACT: Neil Weaver

(717) 783-1132

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

CONTACT: Neil Weaver of PA DCED, +1-717-783-1132

Web site: http://www.newpa.com/http://www.crispusattucks.org/http://www.greenwaytech.net/

Source: PRNewswire

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