MAYFIELD, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The property of an abandoned coal mine in Lackawanna County will soon be transformed into an economic opportunity. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $39 million investment into 11 sites across the commonwealth on Wednesday.
Six million dollars of the $39,000,000 will be used to build a brand-new manufacturing and logistics center in Mayfield.
"We're not only this project. We're also helping them cut through so they can get to market more quickly. Remember the beginning, I talked about how we needed insights and we needed speed. This project is an example of how we are doing both," Governor Shapiro stated.
The site of the project is an abandoned coal mine, which, according to the Governor, has been abandoned for nearly 50 years.
Shapiro says he sees growth and opportunity in the recently excavated area.
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"What's real freedom. That's a real opportunity. That's what we have been preaching; we are now in a position to deliver on it, and this community gets it, and I'm grateful to be here with all of you. This is just one example," Governor Shapiro explained.
A large portion of the $6,000,000 will be used to bring the electricity from Jermyn up to the new buildings, according to Mark Powell, owner of Century Development Associates.
He says the investment in the area will pay dividends for the boroughs where the site is located.
"It's gonna put it back on tax, taxes, both gonna be increased for them. It's gonna be a home of two or three different businesses that are gonna provide jobs for people to sustain their life," Powell said.
Since being sworn in as Governor in 2023, Shapiro has created over 12,000 jobs for the commonwealth. He says there will be 700 permanent jobs in Mayfield as a result of this investment.
"We have an opportunity in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and this project here in northeast PA really is a wonderful example of that," Governor Shapiro added.
The construction is expected to be completed by early 2027, according to Powell.
