Lewisburg, PA 17837 
Great Stream Commons Business Park
Great Stream Commons Business Park is
ready for your business relocation or expansion. Unlike
traditional business parks, Great Stream Commons combines
business and residential areas with a comprehensive system of
utilities and amenities while employing sound planning ideas.
Serving the largest North-central region of Pennsylvania, the 670
acre park includes 444 acres of prime property zoned for
manufacturing/commercial use, 187 planned residential units, and
170 acres of recreational and open space areas. The Central
Susquehanna Valley’s economic development community is strongly
committed to the long-term success of Great Stream Commons.
Drawing on a skilled workforce and vast natural resources, Great
Stream Commons is the choice for business expansions or
relocations for manufacturers, call centers, printers, support
services and warehouse distribution. Property is now available
for inspection and sale.
Endorsed by the Pennsylvania Planning Association, the Governor’s 21st Century Environmental Commission, Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, and PPL Utilities’ Economic Development Program, Great Stream Commons marks an important place in the history of economic development in Union County. In addition to being recognized for its vision, the park has been designated as a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) and as a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone (KOEZ) by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is exempt from all state, local property, and sales taxes until December 31, 2010 for the KOZ and until December 31, 2013 for the KOEZ. . For more information on the State’s KOZ program, go to www.kozcentral.com.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has also awarded the 106 acre Phase One development of the park SelectTechSite status for manufacturing and SelectSite status for call centers. These designations were awarded to sites that are shovel ready and have been certified by the State and Fluor Daniel Consulting. To find out more go to PA Select Sites.
Location
Ideally located along U.S. Route 15 and just 4.5 miles north of Interstate 80, Great Stream Commons offers entry to 40% of the U.S. population, 45% of all U.S. manufacturers, and 40% of all U.S. trade and service industries. For the individuals who travel frequently, Great Stream Commons is located in close proximity to major highways and airports in the region. U.S. Route 15 and Interstate 80 can be accessed directly from the park, with New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, DC, all being within a three-hour drive. Williamsport Regional Airport is 15 miles north; Harrisburg International Airport is 60 miles south; and University Park Airport in State College is 40 miles west. Although Great Stream Commons is not presently rail-served, an existing rail right-of-way has been made accessible for use by the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, and will be developed if required by a tenant.
Access to Workforce
Businesses will have access to the 367,000 people who live within a 30-mile radius of the park, including 177,000 individual workers. Of this group, more than 44,000 work in manufacturing jobs, with 112 mid-size manufacturing firms employing more than 250 workers. Regional industry concentrations include specialty wood products, electronic fabrication and assembly, printing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured housing.
Workforce Training
Union County and neighboring Lycoming County have numerous, ongoing training relationships with the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, which annually produces 1,000 graduates in engineering and technical studies.
Infrastructure
Activity in Phase One included preparing 106 acres for development and is now complete. Internal park roads, sewer (Gregg Township Municipal Authority), water (PA American Water Company), gas (UGI), electric (PPL Utilities), and telecommunications (Alltel) have been installed. High speed Internet access is available (ATM). Landscaping and storm water retention ponds have also been completed in the Phase One section.
Quality of Life
Combining affordable housing and aesthetic design, Great Stream Commons promises to be a pleasant community for work and play. Utilizing the open space contiguous to the housing units, Great Stream Commons will contain ball fields, boat launches, a fishing pier, trails, open space, bike paths, and an environmental education center focusing on the ecology of the bordering Susquehanna River. The 187 planned residential units will adjoin Phase One of the corporate part of the park, and plans are underway to begin this project in 2001.
In the heart of Central Pennsylvania, the region boasts low cost of living, low crime rates, and easy, efficient travel. Area residents enjoy many of the cultural amenities associated with more populous areas such as performing arts venues, concerts, museums, recreation areas as well as local events that make the region unique.
Seven institutions of higher education, enrolling nearly 60,000 students, are located within a 60-mile radius, including Lewisburg’s prestigious Bucknell University. Secondary and elementary schools have consistently placed in the upper range of SAT scores and scholastic achievement tests. Four regional vocational schools produce 650 graduates each year, many in programs sponsored by local industry. Several major hospitals are located within a 20-minute drive of Great Stream Commons.
History
Today, Great Stream Commons is a site locator’s dream, but nearly a decade ago, the land was under the control of a company that was planning to build a hazardous waste incinerator and hazardous waste storage on the site. In the early 1990s, USPCI quietly began purchasing land in Gregg Township to conduct these activities. After knowledge of USPCI’s intentions became public, a tremendous grassroots effort among concerned communities and citizens surfaced to prevent the construction of the incinerator. Following a protracted, bitter struggle, USCPI abandoned their plans and sold the property to Laidlaw, Inc., another hazardous waste firm. The Union County Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Union County Commissioners and Gregg Township officials, then purchased the property from Laidlaw, Inc., and announced their intentions to establish a mixed-use business park, later to become Great Stream Commons.
Details and Statistics
View Great Stream Commons Business Park details and statistics, including population, available workforce, unemployment, utilities, and more.
