Groundbreaking for an about 50,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Montoursville represents a sign that manufacturing is alive and well in the area.
Local lawmakers and business officials were on hand Wednesday to turn the first shovels of dirt for the John Savoy & Sons Inc. project, 300 Howard St.
Carol Savoy said the building, which could include some production operations, will help maintain the furniture manufacturer's employment base.
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MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
Above, state Sen. E Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, left, talks with Lundy Construction owner Frank Lundy and Savoy Furniture President Carol Savoy after a ground breaking for Savoy’s new warehouse as construction begins behind them Wednesday.
It also will mean a warehouse right on the furniture-making site at the east end of Montoursville.
"This is about our 10th addition in 60 years," she said.
Frank Lundy, owner of Lundy Construction, which is serving as general contractor for the project, said he was thrilled to be part of something that will add to economic development.
"It's a pretty sizable undertaking," he said of the project.
Lundy President John Houser said the building should be completed by early 2013.
Savoy said the the project was in the planning stages for the past several years when her late husband, John, still was running the company.
She noted that for many years the company has leased warehouse space off site.
State Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, said the Savoy site represents one of the more active economic spots in Lycoming County.
Mayor John Dorin said it's good to see more development in the borough.
"We don't have much extra land to begin with," he said. "What we do have, we want to do something with."
The mayor said he'll look forward to seeing the project completed.
"It's great to see manufacturing continue to grow here," added state Rep. Garth Everett, R-Muncy.
Savoy noted that furniture manufacturing has faced some tough times in recent years, with many such operations moving overseas.
"We are just tickled pink to be involved in another economic development project in our area," Lundy said.
Founded by in 1946, the company originally manufactured home furniture.
It later entered the commercial furniture field, including products for higher education and for the military.
