Two projects are poised to bring massive warehouse, distribution and manufacturing growth and a significant number of jobs to Berks County.
Two projects are poised to bring massive warehouse, distribution and manufacturing growth and a significant number of jobs to Berks County.
The projects, Hamburg Commerce Park and Hamburg Logistics Park, are in Perry Township and highlight the strong demand for industrial properties in Berks County.
Though Berks has seen slower growth in this sector as compared to neighboring Lehigh County, the largely rural county has seen more interest with the successful completion of the 323-acre Berks Park 78 industrial park several years ago.
With nearly 5 million square feet combined in development in the works, the two projects are influenced by Berks Park 78. Officials said Berks Park 78’s completion and quick occupancy proved a viable industrial market exists in Berks County.
“It [Berks Park 78] was a very large site. The fact that it’s filled up, it made an opening for something to come in,” said James Clymer of Key Development Group of West Chester, developer of Hamburg Logistics Park. “It really helped put Berks County on the map.”
Berks, meanwhile, also enjoys strong transportation arteries and a location near major Northeast markets. It was only a matter of time before companies looked west of Lehigh County, which is running out of space for large industrial development.
Thomas McKeon, executive director of the Berks County Industrial Development Authority, also noted the two Perry Township sites are close to the Reading workforce and should attract a good labor market. Also, the two projects are only several miles from I-78 and near the Lehigh Valley labor pool, as well, he added.
“We felt like because Berks County also has an interstate highway running through it, we could take advantage of that location and all that interest in warehouse and industrial development,” McKeon said.
The proximity of the two developments will create synergy, said Pamela Shupp, vice president of Greater Reading Economic Partnership.
Hamburg Commerce Park will have buildings with smaller footprints, which could allow existing Berks County companies to grow, she said. Hamburg Logistics Park has bigger footprints and could attract large companies to the county, she said.
