State, local leaders tout new program to attract new businesses, jobs to rural areas

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State officials visited Bedford County Tuesday to highlight efforts to attract new businesses and jobs to rural parts of Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis joined members of the Department of Community and Economic Development, and local leaders, in Bedford Township to talk about the “PA SITES” pilot program.

Leaders talked about how $10.6 million in funding from the program is aimed to help more sites across the state become “shovel ready.”

The Bedford County Development Association was recently awarded $339,000 in PA SITES funding.

Officials say that money is being used to develop a pad-ready site at Bedford County Business Park, complete with a gravel access drive.

Battery-pack manufacturer “Cell-Con” will be moving into the new building, which is scheduled to open at the end of the month.

The company is expanding from its current location into the new 15-thousand square foot space, which they say will allow them to meet current demand and continue to grow.