Norry County: Holding Its Own

By Harry Zimbler

Northumberland County’s economy appears to be holding steady as we approach the end of 2006, though several major economic development projects are underway or about to begin.
In the county, the census reported 43,718 homes in the year 2005, an addition of only 1.1 percent, or 461 units.

Real estate values in the county still lag behind both state and national averages. The average residential property is valued at $82,000, compared with $132,000 in Pennsylvania and $182,000 in the nation.

On the plus side, the real estate values have increased by about 20 percent in the past 5 years.
Economic development initiatives to create jobs are moving forward, though perhaps a little slower than first expected, according to Jim King, executive director for the Northumberland Industrial Development Authority.

“Our largest development project is the creation of a 600-acre industrial park – called SEEDCO Park – on the eastern end of the county, between Shamokin and Mount Carmel” he stated. “The good news is that the first phase of infrastructure is complete and we have our first tenant.”
Since May of this year, Reinhart Foods has been in the park The company choose the site because of its easy access to Interstate 81, via Route 54. On its 50-acre lot, the company has created a 250,000-square-foot food distribution center.

“From that point, it is convenient to reach both Interstates 80 and 81,” King noted. “They’re about eight miles away.”
King said that his organization is now looking to serve the needs of a large company, one that needs a piece of land that is at least 50 acres. On the western end of the park, the lots average about 25 acres each.

Across the street from SEEDCO Park a 150,000-square-foot retail center is being developed.
Up north at the Milton Industrial Park, two companies have moved over the past 18 months, King said. Watsontown Trucking and Integrated Building System now anchor the park.

“One of our concerns is the slow progress at the Milton Park,” King began. “Last May, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection discovered an endangered species at the park, bringing all construction to a halt.” The DEP found that the area is a critical habitat for the spade-footed toad. “We are trying to work out the problem, but it has slowed progress.”

In Milton, an access road connecting Route 147 and Interstate 80 is now complete. “The park is now less than a 1.5 miles from the Interstate making it a very attractive site,” said King.
King pointed to some interesting projects that are beginning in downtown Sunbury. “The
city is working on some wonderful projects to improve the riverfront. The idea is to make it more attractive for residents and to attract tourists.”

Sunbury is working on a river amphitheater on the Susquehanna River that is similar to the one located in Lock Haven. It is also improving access to the city and dealing with the flood-wall that can be opened and closed to create the theater.

An inflatable dam, which is set up each May, allows Sunbury to create a large lake for recreation.
“ Some of these are long term projects but the plans are all done,” King said.
The development of a park in Union County, along U.S. Route 15, will also impact the job picture in Northumberland County, King predicted.