$552,000 in state grant funding will go toward new gas lines at The District at Lycoming Valley, formerly the Lycoming Mall
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The District at Lycoming Valley will get the state's help in installing natural gas lines.
State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, and state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, notified the Sun-Gazette of $552,084 in state funding that has been awarded to the mixed-use residential and commercial project through the Commonwealth Financing Authority's (CFA) Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE).
Yaw and Hamm confirmed the funds will be used to install natural gas lines to the District at Lycoming Valley.
"The District" is a redevelopment project of the Lycoming Mall area, consisting of 140 acres, that will transform the mall into a vibrant, mixed-use shopping, hospitality, residential and entertainment destination.
"Projects supported by PIPE grants serve to connect businesses, industrial sites, municipalities and residents to natural gas to ensure they benefit from having access to Pennsylvania's abundant, low-cost energy source," Yaw said, according to the news release. "As sponsor of legislation establishing the Pipeline Investment Program, I am pleased to see our region continue to benefit from this funding. I am thankful to Rep. Hamm and our local officials for their support to help make these projects a reality."
"Redeveloping the Lycoming Mall site will allow this 100+ acre property to once again be the active center of Muncy Township," Hamm said, according to the news release. "This grant award continues to move this redevelopment closer to reality. I was glad to support this grant award as I know the benefits it will have for the residents and taxpayers of the 84th District."
"We very much appreciate the continued support by the Commonwealth and the ongoing advocacy of our redevelopment project by Sen. Yaw and Rep. Hamm," Ara Kervandjian, a representative for the developer, said, according to the news release. "Since our acquisition last June, we've continued to work on The District's redevelopment design plans, which include significant modifications and upgrades to the utility service, some of which is 40 years old or non-existent, like natural gas service. Tenants today are more cost-conscious than ever, and The District needs to answer 'Yes' when asked if natural gas is available to attract tenants."
Yaw and Hamm said it is anticipated the project will result in the creation of over 100 full time jobs.
"The District is a large project with multiple phases and redevelopment stages. Today's award assists us in continuing to move forward to achieve our vision and the project's inevitable success," Kervandjian added.
The PIPE program was crafted by Yaw and included in the state's 2016 Fiscal Code, whereas it was later approved by the State Legislature, the news release said. The program provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks, existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents.