A State College-based business looking to expand has been considering a move to Blair County for several years. Recently, the choices have narrowed to three possible locations in the county.
Although no final decision has been made, two of the locations are located just miles from each other in Tyrone and Antis Township respectively. The third possibility is in the I-99 Enterprise Campus.
The issue of where Balfurd Cleaners would relocate came up at the recent Tyrone Borough Council meeting. Patrick Miller of Altoona Blair County Development Corporation (ABCD) was addressing the meeting when Councilman Bill Fink raised some concerns. Fink wondered if Tyrone was being fairly considered and promoted for the relocation of the cleaners and other industries which might chose another location over Tyrone.
Miller was on hand to help the borough justify its $6,000 donation to ABCD each year. The money is part of $60,000 contributed to ABCD to help pay for administrative costs associated with being a part of the I-99 Enterprise Zone.
“I think ABCD is stretching themselves thin. They are at the edge of a razor blade,” Fink told The Daily Herald. “We are paying $6,000 a year for what? We hear all the bells and whistles and the money. But, what is the bang for the buck we’re getting.”
A number of other council members expressed similar concerns at a previous meeting. Eventually, council tentatively decided to continue the $6,000 donation by designating it as one of the potential uses for CDBG money.
ABCD is involved as a facilitator with the possible relocation of Balfurd and bringing other business to Blair County. Some council members thought it was a conflict on interest since ABCD also owns property which business owners consider for location.
“This comes down to an issue of water. We have a rule in this town that we won’t let you dig a well,” said Fink. He had explained it was his understanding Balfurd was interested in a well for water it needs for its operations.
“We have water flying out of the mountain which is pouring out of a pipe down over the bank into Bald Eagle Creek. Other industries in the community have resources to be good community partners and those industries need to step up and become team players,” according to Fink.
“We have an industry with water in every direction. Even when it was at full speed, the mill didn’t use all the water it had access to,” said Fink.
Recently, Balfurd Cleaners inquired about subdivision and land development ordinances in Antis Township according to Township Manager Jeff Ziegler.
“They are doing a hydrology study to see if they can have a well for at least some aspect of their business (if they chose the Ardie J. Dillen Industrial Park),” said Ziegler.
During the Tyrone Borough Council meeting there was some environmental concerns expressed by ABCD’s Miller regarding Balfurd’s using a well at the Antis Township site. However, Ziegler indicated it wouldn’t encroach on the wetlands in the area.
“The building in Antis Township looks like it will suit our needs,” said Bob Fogelsanger, president of Balfurd Cleaners. “This will allow us to have our production facility under one roof.”
The plan would have Balfurd move into an existing building which the company would expand for its purposes.
Fogelsanger stated Tyrone Borough rules against the creation of a well was not a deal breaker which would prevent it from locating to the Tyrone Industrial Park. However, it is something the company is hopeful of obtaining for its needs. Fogelsanger also wanted to stress no final decision’s been made on the relocation site. The use of an existing building seems to be even a higher priority for the company according to several of the parties dealing with the issue.
Even when a site is chosen, the municipality involved would have to approve plans and have their governing body such as borough council or board of supervisors sign off on the deal.
The company would employ about 70 people with 25 staying in State College to run the stores. Fogelsanger indicated some current employees wouldn’t make the drive or consider relocation so there would be employment opportunities in Blair County.
