Bedford’s Bette Brown Slayton Business Park breaks ground
Bette Brown Slayton, founding president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the business park named in her honor. Courtesy photo
Officials take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Bette Brown Slayton Business Park, marking the start of development supported by multiple state and local funding sources. Courtesy photo
The Bette Brown Slayton Business Park is seen in Bedford County. Courtesy photo
Bette Brown Slayton, founding president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the business park named in her honor. Courtesy photo
Officials take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Bette Brown Slayton Business Park, marking the start of development supported by multiple state and local funding sources. Courtesy photo
The Bette Brown Slayton Business Park is seen in Bedford County. Courtesy photo
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Local and state officials gathered in Bedford County Thursday to break ground on the planned Bette Brown Slayton Business Park.
State Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger joined state Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, Bedford County Development Association President and CEO Jen Marsh and BCDA founder Bette Brown Slayton, among others, at the planned site along Interstate 99.
The Bedford County Development Association received a total of $6.7 million from the state for the 44-acre project, which is expected to yield nine shovel-ready sites for new businesses and
create 60 construction jobs.
Of the $6.7 million, $2.8 million came from a PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) grant -- one of the first recipients of the award -- $1.65 million in loans from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and $2.3 million through the Multimodal Transportation Fund.
"I'm thrilled to help break ground on the Bette Brown Slayton Business Park in Bedford -- one of the first PA SITES-funded projects to begin construction," Siger said. "We look forward to seeing the jobs, investment and opportunities the Bette Brown Slayton Business Park will create for Bedford County and the Commonwealth."
The new park is named in honor of Slayton, who helped shape Bedford County's economic future during her 35 years of leadership.
"I accept this recognition with deep gratitude and humility, knowing that nothing we have accomplished over the past
35 years was ever the work of one person," Slayton said. "Every success has been the result of the dedicated BCDA board members and staff, elected officials, business leaders and countless others who believed in Bedford County's future. I share this honor with them."
The business park will be the third in Bedford County and will support industrial and manufacturing operations by offering flexible sites, strategic access and the infrastructure businesses need for long-term growth.
"Today's groundbreaking represents more than the start of a business park, it represents opportunity," Marsh said. "This project shows what's possible when we move at the speed of business and work together to create jobs, attract investment and strengthen Pennsylvania's economy."