On May 10, 2012, the Altoona-Blair County Development Corp. (ABCD Corp.) along with Gardner Denver dedicated the newly constructed 70,000 square-foot facility in Antis Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania today. This $15 million project will create at least 40 new jobs within three years.
“Gardner Denver is a great example of the potential for job creation associated with shale gas development in the commonwealth” said Sec. C. Alan Walker of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development. “This project is a great example of state government partnering with business and local economic development organizations to bring new jobs and investment to Pennsylvania,” Walker added.
The official announcement of Gardner Denver deciding on Blair County, PA came just seven short months ago in October of 2011. The ability of the Altoona-Blair County Development Corp. (ABCD Corp.) and its team to fast-track this project was mandatory in order to meet Gardner Denver’s expectations as well as the needs of their clients in the natural gas industry.
“This newly constructed facility in the heart of the Marcellus Shale region along Interstate 99, will allow us to serve our customers with the velocity they have grown to expect from Gardner Denver” stated Barry L. Pennypacker, Gardner Denver President and CEO. This state-of-the-art facility will manufacture and remanufacture pumps and will provide onsite service and parts distribution to its customers in the Marcellus Shale region.
“We are proud to be associated with such a world-class organization in Gardner Denver,” said Martin Marasco, President and CEO of ABCD Corp. “We welcome them as our new business neighbor here in Blair County and to a long future here in the heart of the I-99 Corridor,” added Marasco.
The realization of this projects would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of all parties including efforts from federal, state, county and township agencies along with the business and financial institutions including; Governor Tom Corbett; DCED Sec. Alan Walker; Kate Fairweather of the Governor’s Action Team; Blair County Commissioners and the Antis Township Supervisors. In addition, the accelerated permitting cooperation from the Blair County Soil and Conservation District and both the Blair County and Antis Township Planning Commissions. Our local and regional utility partners also allowed for a rapid response on this project including Penelec/a First Energy Company, Altoona City Authority and the Northern Blair Regional Sewer Authority.
ABCD Corp., who through a special purpose entity, Blair County Development Corp. II, served as the owner/developer on this project. Through its partners, a strategic financing package was compiled to serve the best interest of all parties to include; First National Bank, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Gardner Denver is a $2 billion company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is a global provider of industrial equipment, technologies and services, headquartered in Wayne, PA.
