Oberlander: Over $5 Million in State Financing Approved for Glassworks Business Park

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published May 25, 2017 10:06 pm
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) – Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) says approval was received Thursday on a multi-million dollar state financing package that aims to help revive the former Clarion Owens-Illinois glass plant site.

The package, worth more than $5 million, has the potential to attract up to a half-dozen manufacturing and business entities to the proposed Glassworks Business Park, according to Oberlander.

The $1 million grant and $4.2 million low-interest loan from the Business in Our Sites program were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority Thursday in Harrisburg.

“This financing package has huge implications for our area, as several businesses and manufacturers are looking for ready-to-go sites in which to locate,” Oberlander said. “In order to bring these businesses – and jobs – to Clarion, the site must be ready for these potential employers. This loan and grant will allow the site to be redeveloped so that they can move right in.”

The Clarion County Industrial Development Authority is partnering with Miles Brothers LLC to redevelop the 28.5-acre site, which has been vacant since 2010.

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Redevelopment plans include demolishing existing structures, remediating contaminated soils and installing infrastructure.

Once completed, the site will have seven buildings totaling 300,000 square feet of light industrial, warehouse and office facilities. To date, five businesses have expressed interest, including small manufacturers.

The project is expected to create more than 100 new jobs.

The total project cost is estimated at nearly $40 million with private financing making up $35 million of the remaining need.

Miles Brothers LLC has been involved in several brownfield remediation projects, including Magnolia Estates Development in Clarion, Titusville Opportunity Park in Titusville, Historic Brookville Inc. and the Hammer Paper Mill Site Revitalization in Erie.

For Miles Brothers, LLC, it’s been a long journey to getting approval for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District at the old Owens-Illinois Glass Plant.

In a 2016 interview, Ryan Miles, of Miles Brothers, LLC told exploreClarion.com, “It’s been about four years in the process since we decided to turn the old glass plant property into an industrial park.”

“Here we are, it’s 2016 in the fall, and we are finally getting there. This has kind of been the last step to officially get things moving.”

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Theron Miles (pictured above) says most of the jobs created will be light industrial positions.

Clarion Borough Council President Carol Lapinto stated in a previous interview, “There have been a lot of hoops and loops we had to go through. The borough had to do the most because the TIF will actually be in the borough. We certainly support this and hope this will bring new jobs and growth. Jobs are something we really need. So, we are excited and hope it’s successful.”

RELATED:

Clarion Borough Council Approves TIF for Glassworks Business Park

Clarion Borough Opts in to Glassworks Business Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Project

Commissioners Support $3 Million Glassworks Application

Glassworks Business Park Plans Outlined

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