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10-18-99
GOV. RIDGE DELIVERS ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION TO KNOWLEDGE PARK AT DEDICATION
Gov. Tom Ridge today delivered $2 million in capital budget redevelopment assistance funds for Phase II construction at Knowledge Park, a 200-acre technology, research, and commercial park that is expected to create and retain up to 3,000 jobs in northwestern Pennsylvania. Knowledge Park is a joint venture of Penn State Erie and the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation.
"Knowledge Park is exactly the kind of high-tech environment we want to create in Pennsylvania," Gov. Ridge said during a dedication ceremony at the new Knowledge Center. "Knowledge Park means being able to keep our young people right here at home. And it means more good, family-sustaining jobs for the people of Northwest Pennsylvania."
The vision for Knowledge Park is to create a home to university-related, private, for-profit firms that now enjoy or have potential to achieve high growth because of research and intensive knowledge-based activities. Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie has been ranked as Erie County's top economic-development priority by the Erie Community Coalition.
Knowledge Park is currently home to Aalborg Industries, a high-tech research and development firm, and GE Transportation Systems' e-commerce business unit. Long-term plans call for development of 20 corporate sites.
In August 1998, Gov. Ridge released $8.5 million for Phase I of Knowledge Park. Combined with nearly $2.3 million in grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Ridge Administration's commitment to Knowledge Park now stands at almost $12.8 million.
"This is an investment in Erie's future," Gov. Ridge said. "This region is full of promise. We must continue to provide the resources that will allow the talented men and women of this community to thrive in the 21st century economy."
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