HARRISBURG – Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., a regional supermarket chain with stores spanning across five eastern states, today received a $1,009,176 million state grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) for their Schuylkill County-based service center, according to members from the county’s legislative delegation.
The funding will be used to construct a new 350,000 square foot multi temperature warehouse located at the Schuylkill Highridge Industrial Park. The project will install an alternative fuel distribution technology for fueling 150 new energy efficient hydrogen fuel cell powered material handling equipment vehicles, and is slated to retain eight full-time positions and create 23 temporary, full-time jobs.
“I am pleased that Wegmans was able to secure this grant,” said Sen. David G. Argall. “During these tough economic times, job creation has never been more vital to our county.”
Wegmans is providing more than $6 million in matching funds for the project with a completion date set for 2011.
“I want to continue to work with Representative Neal Goodman and Senator Argall to bring more economic development to Schuylkill County,” said Rep. Tim Seip.
“I commend the Commonwealth’s continuing efforts to promote clean energy projects,” said Rep. Jerry Knowles. “I am especially pleased to see PEDA funds going toward a project in Schuylkill County.”
PEDA is an independent public financing authority that was created in 1982 by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and Emergency Powers Act, which funds clean, advanced energy projects in Pennsylvania.
CONTACT:
Nick Troutman, 717-787-2637 (Argall/Knowles)
Ben Turner, 717-787-7895 (Goodman/Seip)