Published: July 22, 2008 12:27 am      

Cambria industrial park gets funding for growth study

EBENSBURG – The Cambria County Industrial Park continues to grow.

Federal funding announced Monday will allow officials to determine the feasibility of adding 148 acres – and eventually, many new jobs – to the Cambria Township park.

The study may be completed by year’s end.

“That was the last piece of the funding that we were going after,” said Ken Mesko, executive director of Cambria County Industrial Development Corp.

Officials opened the site’s “South Park” phase about five years ago. Wind-turbine manufacturer Gamesa occupies a portion of that park and recently purchased three more lots, Mesko said.

“We think they’re going to need additional land in the future,” he said, adding that officials see a potential for other business development.

The feasibility study for the South Park’s second phase will focus on preliminary engineering as well as potential impact on traffic and wetlands, officials said.

When that is complete, Mesko said seeking construction funding is the next step. Development could take years.

A $27,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for the study was announced Monday by U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg.

“Cambria County has done a tremendous job at attracting tenants to both the county industrial park and the South Park complex,” Murtha said in a prepared statement. “This funding will allow them to explore the feasibility of expanding even further.”

Shuster said the park’s expansion could generate $25 million to $30 million in economic activity and about 300 new full-time jobs.