State Sen. John Yudichak (I - Luzerne/Carbon) announced $3 million in grant funding through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for two projects in Carbon Count, a distribution center and a lettuce farm.

The Carbon County Industrial Development Authority on behalf of Exeter Industrial Drive Route 940 Land LLC received $1 million in funding.

The Exeter Industrial Drive Route 940 Land LLC project will consist of the construction of what could potentially be the largest logistics and distribution center in Carbon County.

In order for a developer to begin constriction, the site must be pad ready for tenants looking to leverage the proximity of the site (I-80 and I-476 PA Turnpike, NE Extension) to markets up and down the east coast.

The RACP funding that was announced Wednesday will help to complete necessary infrastructure improvements at the site that must be completed before the project can break ground. When completed the logistics and distribution center is expected to create 300 full-time jobs.

“Creating good, family-sustaining jobs is essential to helping Carbon County families recover from the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sen. Yudichak.

“The significant private investment being made by the Exeter Property Group in a logistics center in Kidder Township will bring hundreds of new jobs to Carbon County and help bolster a robust economic recovery throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.”

“This funding is going toward improving access to the site and improving our region’s economic future as well. Warehousing is a growth industry, and I’m excited by the project’s significant potential,” said State Rep.Doyle Heffley (R - Carbon). “In addition to creating hundreds of new jobs, local municipalities will benefit in a few years from the tax revenue generated by the distribution center.”

“Exeter Property Group is thrilled to have received an RCAP grant for our future 921,328 SF warehouse development site in Carbon County,” said Tilghman Rouse, Regional Leasing & Acquisitions for the mid-Atlantic Region, Exeter Property Group. “We are grateful for all the support we received in our efforts to obtain this grant. This grant will enable the creation of numerous jobs and opportunities for the local community. We look forward to working with the great people of Carbon County.”

“Blue Ridge Real Estate Company is grateful for the assistance provided by State Sen. Yudichak, State Rep. Doyle Hefley, Carbon County’s Economic Development Council and the board of supervisors of Kidder Township,” said Bruce Beaty, president, Blue Ridge Real Estate Company. “They were a valued source of information and support during the RACP grant application and approval process. Thanks to them, this long awaited light industrial project will help boost economic development in the northern region of Carbon County.”

Little Leaf Farms LLC received $2 million.

The funding will be used to help construct a new lettuce production facility in the Hazleton region, which will start with seven acres under glass, expanding up to 20 acres over the next five years.

The initial seven-acre phase includes land purchase, earthwork, erecting of the greenhouse and all technical systems, packing houses, irrigation, lighting and climate systems.

The funding will be focused on building its own substation to supply high voltage power and transform it for use in the greenhouse.