The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) announced that the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) approved six economic development loans at its August board meeting for Berks County farms:
- $400,000 to help Matthew and Judith Leid purchase a 147-acre crop farm in Greenwich Twp.
- $237,000 to assist Dwight and Kathi Zimmerman with the construction of a broiler house in Upper Tulpehocken Twp.
- $375,000 to help Russel and Janet Burkholder purchase a 55-acre farm in Kutztown.
- $400,000 to help Mark and Leslie Fessler purchase a 123-acre farm in Penn Twp.
- $400,000 to help David Yost purchase a 115-acre crop farm in Upper Tulpehocken Twp.
- $400,000 to help Vernon and Margaret Nolt construct two turkey broiler houses in Jefferson Twp.
The approval of these loans drew support from both state and county officials.
Senator David G. Argall said, “I am pleased that PIDA provided these loans to support agriculture in Berks County. Agriculture is a critical sector in the economy of Pennsylvania, and I will continue to do what I can to support farmers throughout the commonwealth.”
“Agriculture is Berks County’s number one industry by overall sales,” Commissioners’ Chair Christian Y. Leinbach said. “These PIDA loans not only provide access to over $5 million in additional investments in agriculture, but they also indicate that agriculture continues to grow and thrive in Berks County. Special thanks to the GRCA and the Berks County Agriculture Department for continuing to promote and support the Agriculture Industry in Berks County.”
Jim Gerlach, President and CEO, GRCA added, “These loans will help support the agribusinesses of Berks County. GRCA is committed to providing the resources needed to promote the growth of this important sector.”
For more information regarding project financing available through the GRCA, call Ed Swoyer at 610-8987796 or email him at [email protected].
