Business Climate

When considering doing business in a community, it is imperative to understand what the climate is like. The EDA has the pulse of the business community. Below are some significant recent happenings; call or make an appointment to meet with someone today for additional information.

Altec Lansing Technologies, headquartered in Milford Township, put its headquarters facility in Milford Township on the market in mid-July. In less than 120 days the facility was sold to the real estate holding company of local entrepreneur Maurice Ryman. The facility was approved by Milford Township as a multi-tenant building prior to the property closing. Altec Lansing will lease back a significant portion of the building, allowing it to maintain East Coast operations and retain 12 employees in addition to its fluctuating temporary employee count. Ryman's Shohola based company, LP Cylinder, will also occupy a portion of the building. This second location for LP Cylinder will allow for the expansion of it's injection molding operations.

Demolition is complete and construction is now underway at the future site of Jack Williams Tire and Auto Center next door to Milford Chrysler on Rt 6 & 209. The facility is expected to open in 2012.

Access Physical Therapy and Wellness has expanded to Milford. The new facility , located at 518 Rt. 6 & 209, fills the recently renovated building anchored by Frankel Foot & Ankle Center. Aliton's Pharmacy is expanding into Milford Township with both pharmacy and healthcare supply services. The new location across from Apple Valley Restaurant will be undergoing renovations shortly.

Malhame Vestment Company relocated from their John Street facility in Milford Borough to Westfall Township and retained approximately 10 jobs formerly located in Milford. Company official Jim Pecoy noted that the cooperation of municipal and economic development officials played a significant role in retaining the company in the community.

Advances Auto Parts,is nearing completion in Westfall Township near Lowe's.

Majestic Cinema opened in May in the former Grand Union at the Westfall Towne Center. Prior to that, a Hampton Inn opened nearby as well. The hotel was expected to employ 35 people and bring an investment exceeding $11 million into the community. PyroDirect relocated its operations from New York to a new Westfall Township location, taking space in a multi-tenant building with another new wholesale cigar business. Port Jervis, NY based Cal-Tech has expanded, adding warehouse space that fills the remaining section of the building on Shady Lane. In addition, Have a Hoot children's play center on Rt. 6 & 209 recently opened, featuring indoor laser tag and rock climbing.

Westfall Township finalized its bankruptcy proceedings and must make annual payments of $300,000 to satisfy a judgement against the municipality. In 2010, the township raised property taxes substantially with a special assessment. The steep property tax increase is particularly affecting the high volume of commercial development in the community. A small retailer, Hollywood Video, announced a store closing. 10 jobs were lost when the facility closed in t2010. The facility is now occupied by a tobacco products retailer. A retail music store also closed its doors. Westfall Township also recently approved plans to construct a Taco Bell on Rt. 6 & 209 near McDonald's.

The Westfall Sewer Authority is proceeding with plans to expand the capacity of the area sewer plant and was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the project.

In Milford Borough, the county seat of Pike County, construction continues on the revitalization of the newly reopened Milford TheaterThe historic structure is undergoing substantial repair. Renovations are estimated to cost $1 million. The property is under new ownership.

The recently renovated Tom Quick Inn has reopened on nearby Broad Street as well. In addition construction is underway on a new main campus for the Pike County Public Library. The EDA is sponsoring $2 million in state grants to support the project.

Milford has completed the study phase for the Rt. 6 Heritage Communities ProgramThe program will work with area stakeholders to develop and enhance sustainable tourism efforts for the community. For more information on the report, please refer to our news page.

Delaware Valley High School was named one of the Top Public High Schools in America by Newsweek magazine. The high volume of advancement placement course offerings and participation as well as the high rate of students going forward to higher education pushed DV into the top 6% of high schools nationwide.

The EDA was awarded $380,313 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for improvements to Bushkill Falls Road near the former Tamiment property. EDA will also be receiving $380,312 for the extension of water and sewer lines in the area. These funds come from the Local Share Gaming Grant Program as a result of activities at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County. Other grant funds are currently being pursued for the $10 million road project and $15 million sewage plant for the planned Highland Village residential and business development. The residential development is projected to include 5,850 homes and the business development will include an estimated 300,000 square feet of commercial space for office, retail, and medical facilities. The site also includes the Mountain Laurel Center Pocono Mountains Performing Arts Center which reopening in 2011 with acts including KISS, Larry the Cable Guy, the Beach Boys and ZZ Top.

Also in Lehman Township, Pocmont Resort closed its doors last year. Approximately 90 jobs were lost in the closure. The property went up for auction in April, 2010, is currently undergoing substantial renovations, and is expected to reemerge in the fall 2011 as the Bushkill Inn & Conference Center.

Westfall Township finalized its bankruptcy proceedings and must make annual payments of $300,000 to satisfy a judgment against the municipality. In 2010, the township raised property taxes substantially with a special assessment. The steep property tax increase is particularly affecting the high volume of commercial development in the community. Despite this, two movie theater projects are proposed in the township. One will redevelop a former grocery store and is anticipated to open in the 2nd quarter of 2011 while the other would be a stand-alone facility, with entirely new construction. There are currently no such facilities within the county. A small retailer, Hollywood Video, announced a store closing. 10 jobs were lost when the facility closed in 2010. The facility is now occupied by a tobacco products retailer. A retail music store also closed its doors.

In Delaware Township, the next phase of the redevelopment of the historic Marie Zimmerman House are planned for the coming year. Substantial work has already been completed to open the property to the public. Zimmerman was a well known metal crafts artist. In addition, the Dingmans Medical Center opened on Rt. 739 this year. This facility features medical offices, specialist care and the only pharmacy in the community. Plans are already underway to expand the facility in the future. Little Wonders Day Care has also proposed an expansion of their facility in the area. The project is an estimated investment of $760,000 and will provide 4 new jobs to the community.

In Blooming Grove Township, plans are underway to attract business to the Pike County Business Park. Contact the EDA staff for more information.

In the spring of 2010, a groundbreaking was held for the Pike County Emergency Operations Center in Lords Valley. This facility will provide local opportunities for training for emergency personnel and house a 911 emergency services center. The project involves an investment in the community estimated to exceed $11 million.

Empire Office, the nation’s largest office furniture dealership, relocated its accounting department to Milford which was subsequently followed by enhanced back office operations for customer service and sales administration. The new office, located in the Milford Professional Park in Dingman Township, began with 16 people and continues to expand. The accounting department had previously been outsourced from New York City to India. Company principal Michael Pfaeffle was commuting to New York City from Milford and recommended the area as a lower cost alternative to NYC when the company made a decision to end operations in India.

Also in Dingman Township, preliminary approval has been given for plans for a new church and day care center at the former site of the Sherelyn Motel on Rt. 6 near Interstate 84.In addition renovations are nearing completion on the former Big Willie's BBQ Restaruant on Rt. 6 in Dingman Township. The facility will be reopening soon as China Buffet.

Matamoras Borough was awarded grant funding for the next phase of its streetscape improvement project and is reviewing a proposed downtown revitalization plan.

Pike County is experiencing positive impact to its economy as a result of the Hawley Silk Mill project that is located in neighboring Wayne County. Lackawanna College has located its Lake Region Center in the building. Several retail shops and office-type businesses, along with a coffee shop and warehouse space, are also scheduled to be located on the property. Beginning fall 2010, the Misericordia University Center for Adult and Continuing Education and Lackawanna College is jointly offering the Expressway Accelerated Bachelor's Degree Programs in Business Administration and Professional Studies at the Hawley Silk Mill. "The Expressway Program offers adult learners the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in as little as 2.5 years at convenient locations at $320 per credit" ( Misericrodia University Press Release). A business enterprise center is being proposed for this facility as well and both the Pike County EDA and the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation are involved in the effort to develop this facility.

Bordering Matamoras Borough in Port Jervis, New York, a whitewater adventure park is proposed as part of the city's waterfront revitalization plan. The park is estimated to cost approximately $1 million to develop and will bring upwards of that amount into the local economy on both sides of the Delaware River annually.

PPL Electric Utilities has determined the location of a high voltage electric transmission line that will be on a route that runs almost entirely along a smaller existing right of way through Pike County.

Tennessee Gas has also proposed an expansion project along its existing route through Pike County for its natural gas transmission line.

Concern has been expressed by area organizations and residents regarding the impact of several environmental considerations: the potential for fracking to retrieve natural gas which has the possibility of negatively impacting the environment and road conditions while also bringing new wealth and jobs into the area; and the impact of new state regulations designed to protect water quality. These new regulations will impact the ability to develop property and the cost of development.