Senator Santarsiero, Representative Staats Announce RACP Grant for Pennridge Development Enterprises, Inc.

August 1, 2019

PERKASIE − August 1, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Craig Staats (R-145) announced the award of a $2,000,000 state grant for Pennridge Development Enterprises, Inc., to benefit the Pennridge Airport Business Park in East Rockhill Township and Perkasie Borough. This grant was awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.

The Pennridge Airport Business Park is one of the few Class A industrial park projects remaining in Bucks County in the I-95, I-78, and Pennsylvania Turnpike corridor. This grant will allow three undeveloped parcels on 89 acres to be developed in one of the three phases required to complete the project. The first phase will consist of all the infrastructure improvements for the Park, including major utilities and roadway improvements and construction of two new buildings on site.

“The economic stimulus this project will provide East Rockhill Township and Perkasie Borough will be far reaching and long lasting,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “This grant will create an estimated 2,700 new jobs and bring countless opportunities for growth in the surrounding communities.”

“I am pleased to learn that Pennridge Development has been approved for this generous state grant and I am excited about what it will mean to our district and its residents,” said Rep. Staats.  “The $2 million in RACP funding awarded for the Pennridge Airport Business Park project will provide substantial economic benefits to our area for many years to come through the businesses it will attract, the commerce that will occur and the many jobs it will create.”

“On behalf of Pennridge Development Enterprises Inc., I would like to thank Governor Wolf, Senator Santarsiero, and Representative Staats for their support of the Pennridge Airport Business Park through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program,” said Robert Brink, President of Pennridge Development Enterprises, Inc. “The Pennridge Airport Business Park, at full build out, is expected to consist of over 700,000 sq. ft. of Industrial Manufacturing space that will generate approximately $500M in total direct, indirect, and induced economic impact to the Commonwealth annually while supporting an estimated 2,700 jobs and $5.7M in annual tax revenue. We are grateful that the Pennsylvania State leadership recognize the value of this development and the positive economic impact it will have in Upper Bucks County and surrounding areas.”

RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. 

To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.

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Senator Santarsiero, Representative Staats Announce State Funding for Repairs & Improvements to Main Street Bridge in Sellersville

May 14, 2019

HARRISBURG, PA – May 14, 2019 – Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Craig Staats (R-145) announced today that work will begin this summer on a $4.7 million project to rehabilitate the Main Street bridge in Sellersville Borough, which is on the Commonwealth’s list of structurally deficient bridges.  

The goal of the project is to provide a bridge capable of handling the volume of expected long-term traffic along the state highway and to provide roadway improvements such as guardrail repairs and pavement restoration.

“I am excited about this important infrastructure improvement and what it will mean to the Sellersville community,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “Investment in our roads and bridges pays dividends for our local economy and improves the safety of travel for residents and visitors.”

“This much anticipated bridge improvement project will substantially improve public safety in Sellersville in the near term and for years to come,” Rep. Staats said. “The project will also allow for the higher traffic volume expected in the future. We may experience short term inconvenience while the work is being done, but I believe area citizens will be pleased with the result.”

The Main Street bridge, which was built in 1927, is in a deteriorated condition and considered structurally deficient. Both the concrete deck and bridge abutments are in poor condition. The bridge currently posts a weight limit of 15 tons.

The project will remove the concrete deck, sidewalks, and pedestrian railings in order to repair, strengthen, and paint the steel single-span pony truss. The bridge deck, sidewalks, and abutment backwalls will be replaced and the pedestrian railings will be repaired, reinforced, and reinstalled.  

Construction on the project will begin this summer with minimal impact to motorists. Main Street will be closed between East Church Street and West Church Street come autumn. Motorists will be directed to use Route 152 (Park Avenue/State Road), Route 309 (Sellersville Bypass), Lawn Avenue, and Route 563 (Ridge Road). The detour will remain in effect until October 2020.

Funding for the project has been financed entirely with state funds.

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