Ribbon Cut on Valley View Business Park

The Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) and the Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE) held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently to celebrate the extension of Valley View Drive, located in Valley View Business Park, Jessup and Archbald Boroughs.

PennDOT working in conjunction with SLIBCO constructed the 2-mile roadway and utility lines to provide access to Phase II of Valley View Business Park.  At full completion, Valley View Business Park Phase II will consist of 561 newly developed acres, including 26 new building sites.  Five-thousand family-sustaining jobs will be created at full build-out. All sites are located within a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone, providing companies with tax exemption through 2017 or 2020. 

“Today’s ribbon cutting signifies progress as we continue to bring jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “I am pleased to see the public and private sector working together to ensure that Scranton remains a top choice for business to expand.”

“The extension of Valley View Drive enables this business park to continue to expand, and bring more businesses and jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11). “I am proud to announce that the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which I strongly supported, provides almost $17 million in federal funding for this project. Since I first joined Congress, one of my top priorities has been to create and save jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and this project helps to further that goal. During these difficult economic times, many people are struggling financially. With projects like this, we can change that course by promoting economic development locally and creating jobs in our communities.”

“The Commonwealth and SLIBCO have always been strong allies in creating and advancing opportunities for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Austin J. Burke, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “The state’s financial commitment to Valley View Business Park and other SLIBCO projects clearly demonstrates that economic development in the Greater Scranton area remains a top priority.”

“The Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) is to be commended for the enormous contribution the organization has made to the economic development of Lackawanna County through projects like Phase II of the Valley View Business Park,” Lackawanna County Commissioners Michael J. Washo and Corey D. O’Brien said. “Phase I of the Valley View Business Park, combined with the Jessup Small Business Center, has already resulted in $102 million in investment and 1,200 jobs. We look forward to the positive economic impact that this new phase promises to bring to the region.”

“This project would not be possible without the cooperation of our State and Federally elected officials, Lackawanna County, PennDOT Jessup and Archbald Boroughs, and the Valley View School District,” stated Philip Condron, acting executive vice president, SLIBCO.  “This is a true public-private partnership that has transformed a mine-scarred site into a location of choice for relocating and expanding companies.” 

Valley View Business Park is home to Tucker Rocky Distributing, a world-wide leader in the wholesale distribution of aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel for the power sports industry; McLane Company the nation’s leading wholesale distributor of food and consumer packaged goods; and the Lackawanna County Center for Public Safety. 

SLIBCO extends special thanks to Governor Edward Rendell, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, State Senator Robert Mellow, U.S. Senator Robert Casey, and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, U.S. Representative Christopher P. Carney, U.S. Representative Paul E. Kanjorski, State Representative Edward Staback, PennDOT, Leeward Construction, Lackawanna County Commissioners, Valley View School Board and Archbald and Jessup Boroughs for their participation in this project.

SLIBCO is the Chamber’s “bricks and mortar” arm to attract and support business relocation and expansion, and has constructed most of Lackawanna County’s industrial, business, office, and technology parks.  In addition, SLIBCO has developed seven major buildings totaling approximately 1.2 million square feet.  Since its creation in 1945, SLIBCO working in concert with the Chamber’s other development arms has developed more than 2,700 acres and has spearheaded 357 major development projects.  These projects have created more than 20,000 jobs and have added more than $637 million in new real estate investment to the local economy.

For more information, contact Andrew C. Skrip at 570.342.7711, or at askrip@scrantonchamber.com.