Comments of John H. Rose, Chairman,
EDC Finance Corporation

October 9, 2009

Thank you, John.  As Chair of EDC Finance, I would like to say it is a great honor to be here today, representing EDC Finance Corporation and its staff as we dedicate the 47 acres that make up the Northwest Gateway Redevelopment Project.

EDC Finance Corporation is a non-profit economic development organization, established in 1986 to help local businesses access state and federal incentive funding programs that exist to encourage business investment and job creation in our communities. Since its founding in 1986, EDC Finance Corporation has been involved in more than $1.1 billion of local business and community investment projects and facilitated more than $155 million of funding assistance for Lancaster County businesses – investments supporting the prosperity that makes living in Lancaster County exceptional.

I have always said our goal is to function as the catalyst for bringing the developer, project and funding sources together for a common goal. We are able to provide unique services and access to funding sources and by desire, remain in the background, out of the limelight. The primary disadvantage to staying in the background is that we continue to be one of the “best kept secret” and many are not aware that we are often in a position to assist with projects. For that reason, I am honored, as well as humbled; to be before you today so that others may hear of the role we played in this project. As you had heard, this project began with a vision, due diligence starting in 2005 and in September 2005, after more than a year of planning in conjunction with our partners, we purchased 47 acres of ground, more than 2 million square feet of obsolete manufacturing and office space comprising more than 200 buildings, and all of the uncertainty that comes along with an industrial site that has been in heavy use for more than 100 years.

We stand here today overlooking 47 acres of ground primed for development and primed to further the rebirth of Northwest Lancaster City and Southern Manheim Township.  We can see land that has been cleared, cleaned up to a residential environmental standard, and has the infrastructure in place to accommodate major developments by Lancaster General Hospital and Franklin & Marshall College.

For me though, one of the most important aspects of the Northwest Gateway Project has been the partnership that brought all of this to fruition.  Armstrong World Industries made the property available to the community and remained an active partner in ensuring that we achieved completion.  Through the vision of John Fry, Franklin & Marshall College invested its own funds and a tremendous amount of staff time managing both the big picture and minute details of the redevelopment.  Lancaster General Hospital continued its commitment to providing Lancaster County with exemplary medical facilities by becoming a project partner and investing in a site that will allow for continued growth.  And finally, the partners pulled together a team of professionals from firms like Walz, Deihm, Geisenberger Bucklen & Tennis – Hartman Underhill & Brubaker – Barley Snyder – Radnor Properties – and all of our contractors to manage and implement this massive effort. Unknown to most, a team of dedicated individuals from the partners, under the leadership of Keith Orris, have met primarily on a weekly basis over the better part of the last five years to bring this project to completion. In my career I have been involved in many projects but have never had the opportunity to work with a team of individuals, from such a diverse group of companies, who worked so hard and in such a cordial and cooperative manner. I can honestly say, few problems arose along the way and when they did, it was with a team effort to solve them and continue to move forward.

I come from the construction industry and can appreciate the complexity of an undertaking such as this, and I want to thank everyone who helped to bring this together and for the chance for EDC Finance to be a participant.  Let’s all look around and remember what this looks like today – because, much like the change from 2005, five years from now this will look like an entirely new community within our City and Township.

Thank You!