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Berks farms benefit from Bell & Evans expansion
Stacy Wescoe//September 15, 2020//
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Four Berks County farms were among five farms to receive more than $1.8 million in support from the Pennsylvania First Industries Fund, two of which were to help with the recently announced expansion of Bell & Evans.
The Lebanon County-based company, which produces chicken raised without antibiotics and organic chicken, is expanding in the state and hiring more than 1,200 new workers. Besides the new facility it is constructing in Bethel Township, it is contracting out for more broiler houses.
David and Marilyn Weaver will receive a 15-year, $400,000 loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority at .75% to construct two boiler houses on their farm in Berks. The Weavers recently obtained a seven-year contract from Bell & Evans for both houses.
The total project cost is $1.27 million.
Nelson and Mary Troutman will receive a 15-year, $400,000 loan at 1.75% interest to construct two broiler houses on their 121-acre Berks County farm.
J&N Troutman LLC, has been pursuing plans to build these houses for the past two years with Bell and Evans. J&N recently received a seven-year contract from Bell and Evans for the two broiler houses and plans to build a third on the property in the near future. The total project cost is $1.15 million.
Also in Berks, Ricky and Miriam Manwiller will receive a 15-year, $273,750 loan at 1.75% interest to purchase a 47.5 acre farm in Heidelberg Township that they currently lease. The land will be used for crop farming. The total cost of the project is $547,500.
Leon and Lina Burkholder will receive a 15-year, $400,000 loan at .75% to purchase a 137.7-acre farm property in Albany Township. The farm has a 200-plus dairy facility plus 100 acres of tillable land. The total project cost is $1.07 million.
