Two Schuylkill County projects have received state grants from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, according to Sen. David G. Argall, Rep. Jerry Knowles, Representative-elect Tim Twardzik, and Representative-elect Joseph Kerwin.

Officials said $1.5 million was awarded to support the development of the Center for Education, Business, and Arts in Shenandoah, with $2.5 million awarded to support the construction of a new Shyft Manufacturing Facility in Schuylkill County.

Shyft will convert an existing facility in Schuylkill County into a modern manufacturing plant that will build trucks for other companies. This project will ultimately create over 100 well-paying, stable manufacturing jobs for residents of the area. The final location for the site has not yet been decided.

Frank Zukas, president of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation, said they have been working with Shyft Group and its consultants for “about six months.”

“We showed them a number of buildings in Schuylkill County,” he said.

Zukas would not provide locations.

He said three buildings meet the minimum 100,000-square foot space needed for use.

“They will be considering one of those three sites,” he said.

Ease of access to Interstate 81 and the strong manufacturing base were attractive to the company.

“It’s still really a project that is unfolding,” he said.

RACP funding is intended for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. All moneys received must be matched with an equal amount of private investment from the organization to be eligible for this grant program.

“I believe that this funding is another important tool in improving economic opportunities and fighting blight in Schuylkill County” Argall said. “These grants were highly competitive, so I was very pleased to hear that these well-deserving projects were rewarded for their efforts to bring new jobs to the area.”

“After a tough 2020, this is the kind of news that Schuylkill County needs,” said Kerwin. “The RACP grants combined with the entrepreneurial spirit will bring new economic opportunities to Schuylkill County and improve livelihoods. I applaud the awarding of these grants. I wish the Center for Education, Business, and Arts and The Shfyt Group the best in their endeavors and I thank them for investing in Schuylkill County.”

“This is a significant grant that will produce real value in the form of education, jobs and economic growth opportunity,” Knowles said. “This is great news for the grantee, the citizens served by this facility and the Schuylkill County economy.”

On the new Shyft plant, Twardzik said, “Quality manufacturing jobs are a great benefit to our communities. An expanding company like Shyft bringing high wages and excellent benefits is a vote of confidence in our excellent workforce. Their growth plans also will provide future jobs for the students training in our Vocational Technical schools.”

CEBA will support Schuylkill County’s economy by offering programming, training, and mentorship for budding entrepreneurs and small business owners at a blighted downtown site which has been vacant for many years. The center will also provide spaces for makers and artists, a business incubator, community event space, culinary makerspaces, a community computer, and a conference room. This project is a key part of dedicated local efforts to revitalize Downtown Shenandoah.

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