Shapiro Announces $1 Million PA SITES Grant For Windy Ridge

The Indiana County Development Corporation is receiving $1 million out of more than $10.6 million in PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) funding announced on May 9 by Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger in Lehigh County.

The $1 million is going toward further site improvements at the Windy Ridge Business & Technology Park in White Township.

The governor’s office said PA SITES funds will be used there for engineering, environmental cleanup, demolition, and the construction and site preparation for a 500-foot extension of a roadway to Lot 21 and an intersection connecting to Lot 1.

Additionally, DCED said, funds will be used for street lighting, utility facilities, signage, sanitary sewer, storm water management, and erosion and sediment controls.

“Last year, we launched a pilot program for site development through DCED, asked for applications, and made $10 million in grants available for developers and companies to begin that process,” Shapiro said at a Lehigh County location that, like Windy Ridge, is getting funds to help further its “shovel-ready” status.

“When we launched this pilot program, we received over 100 applications worth more than $235 million for site development,” Shapiro said. “That’s why my budget proposes $500 million for site development in Pennsylvania. These sites are key to growing our economy, creating more jobs and thriving communities, and helping Pennsylvania compete — and win.”

The funding announced on May will go toward seven sites across the commonwealth.

The grant is the latest boost to a business park that already hosts an Urban Outfitters fulfillment center that services that company’s digital customers across the United States. That center was opened in October 2019.

According to the Urban Outfitters urbn.com website, the location was designed with efficient and ergonomic processes crafted to handle the company’s brands of furniture and large footprint items.