It was the end an era for one company in Nesquehoning that brought hundreds of jobs to the area for decades as REV Group closed its KME plant and moved operations to other locations.

But new chapters for the former KME plants brought hope that the buildings wouldn’t sit idle after the last firetruck was completed in early April.

In late April, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad, with its corporate headquarters in Port Clinton, purchased eight buildings that line the railroad’s line at a cost of $2 million.

Andy Muller Jr., founder and owner/CEO of the railroad, said at the time that he was investing in the future of the company, as well as the communities that he serves.

Reading and Northern has several freight customers throughout the region, as well as operates Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe.

The eight buildings will be used to expand its maintenance operations, as well as house police and passenger offices.

On the other side of Route 54, the remaining plants were purchased by One Industrial Holdings LLC, which includes original KME founder John “Sonny” Kovatch’s daughter, Kathy Kovatch Reaman.

She and her husband announced the purchase in September.

Plans for these buildings include creating a hub for leasing opportunities for manufacturing and office space to companies with ties to the fire/EMS industry, as well as create a community based complex to provide activities for residents and visitors.

One tenant, Bulldog Fire and Emergency Apparatus, an established fire apparatus company that had ties to KME through the years, is leasing 120,000 square feet of space in plants 3 and 4.

In addition, the company hired approximately 35 former KME employees with plans of bringing back more as the business expands.

To help Bulldog in its expansion, Jeff Mazza, owner, tapped Reaman’s husband, Ric, as the new location’s Chief Financial Officer. Ric Reaman has a long history with the KME complex, serving as the former CFO of KME years ago.