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For Immediate Release
January 14, 2010
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Things Are Looking Up 
by Senator Richard Alloway II

The recession placed a strain on families across the state and nation in 2009. However, while many economists have predicted a slow and long road to economic recovery for the nation as a whole, we have many reasons to be optimistic about the future of our local economy in Franklin County in 2010.  

There are a number of economic development projects that are expected to help attract and retain jobs in the region. The Norfolk Southern Railway Company’s new intermodal facility is one example. The project is expected to provide 126 jobs for the area and will bring a number of quality of life benefits to our area, including reduced traffic congestion, less air pollution, less fuel consumption and increased economic competitiveness for surrounding communities.  

Franklin County will also benefit from expansions at Letterkenny Army Depot. A new missile facility is expected to support 125 new jobs, and a new reserve center that is under construction will provide better accommodations for our local soldiers. Letterkenny adds approximately $350 million to our communities each year, and we are fortunate that they will continue to play an important role in our local economy for years to come.  

Volvo Worldwide is currently expanding their plant in Shippensburg which will create many more good manufacturing jobs for our local citizens. Volvo also recently announced the closing of another plant and will be moving those production lines to their Shippensburg facility.

The area will also benefit from economic development projects such as the recent Atlas Copco expansion in Fort Loudon and the I-81 Exit 3 development project in Greencastle. All of these projects are reasons to be optimistic about the economic prospects in Franklin County in the immediate future.  

These projects were the result of cooperation between businesses, legislators, local officials and community leaders, and we must continue this spirit of bipartisan cooperation to promote economic development and job growth in the area. Our region continues to be an unparalleled place to live, work and raise a family, and we must continue to keep our economy moving forward as the state and nation begins to emerge from the recession.